Scheduling and token bucket for communication co-existence

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates in some aspects to a scheduling and token bucket scheme for co-existence of different radio access technologies on a communication resource. In some aspects, the scheme may avoid traffic collisions on the resource and promotes access fairness on the resource.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to and the benefit of provisionalpatent application. No. 62/258,363 filed in the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office on Nov. 20, 2015, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

INTRODUCTION

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wirelesscommunication and more particularly, but not exclusively, toco-existence techniques for a communication resource.

Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide variouscommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging,broadcasts, and so on. Such networks, which are usually multiple accessnetworks, support communication for multiple users by sharing theavailable network resources.

As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase,research and development continue to advance wireless communicationtechnologies not only to meet the growing demand for mobile broadbandaccess, but to advance and enhance the user experience.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some aspects of thedisclosure to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated features of thedisclosure, and is intended neither to identify key or critical elementsof all aspects of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any orall aspects of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present variousconcepts of some aspects of the disclosure in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In one aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus configured forcommunication that includes a memory and a processor coupled to thememory. The processor and the memory are configured to: communicate on afirst radio frequency (RF) band, wherein the communication on the firstRF band uses a first type of radio access technology (RAT); determine,at a time based on a token arrival time, whether a second RF band isavailable for communication, wherein the determination includesmonitoring the second RF band using a second type of RAT; reserve thesecond RF band for communication of an access block if the determinationindicates that the second RF band is available, wherein the reservationincludes sending a first reservation signal using the second type ofRAT; and communicate on the second RF band during the access block usingthe first type of RAT as a result of the reservation.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for communicationincluding: communicating on a first radio frequency (RF) band, whereinthe communication on the first RF band uses a first type of radio accesstechnology (RAT); determining, at a time based on a token arrival time,whether a second RF band is available for communication, wherein thedetermination includes monitoring the second RF band using a second typeof RAT; reserving the second RF band for communication of an accessblock if the determination indicates that the second RF band isavailable, wherein the reservation includes sending a first reservationsignal using the second type of RAT; and communicating on the second RFband during the access block using the first type of RAT as a result ofthe reservation.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides an apparatus configured forcommunication. The apparatus including: means for communicating on afirst radio frequency (RF) band, wherein the communication on the firstRF band uses a first type of radio access technology (RAT); means fordetermining, at a time based on a token arrival time, whether a secondRF band is available for communication, wherein the determinationincludes monitoring the second RF band using a second type of RAT; andmeans for reserving the second RF band for communication of an accessblock if the determination indicates that the second RF band isavailable, wherein the reservation includes sending a first reservationsignal using the second type of RAT; wherein the means for communicatingis configured to communicate on the second RF band during the accessblock using the first type of RAT as a result of the reservation.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, includingcode to: communicate on a first radio frequency (RF) band, wherein thecommunication on the first RF band uses a first type of radio accesstechnology (RAT); determine, at a time based on a token arrival time,whether a second RF band is available for communication, wherein thedetermination includes monitoring the second RF band using a second typeof RAT; reserve the second RF band for communication of an access blockif the determination indicates that the second RF band is available,wherein the reservation includes sending a first reservation signalusing the second type of RAT; and communicate on the second RF bandduring the access block using the first type of RAT as a result of thereservation.

In one aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus configured forcommunication that includes a memory and a processor coupled to thememory. The processor and the memory are configured to: communicate on afirst radio frequency (RF) band, wherein the communication on the firstRF band uses a first type of radio access technology (RAT); receive acommunication schedule and token bucket information; monitor, at a timebased on the token bucket information, for a signal on a second RF band;and communicate on the second RF band during the access block accordingto the communication schedule if the signal is detected by themonitoring, wherein the communication on the second RF band uses thefirst type of RAT.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for communicationincluding: communicating on a first radio frequency (RF) band, whereinthe communication on the first RF band uses a first type of radio accesstechnology (RAT); receiving a communication schedule and token bucketinformation; monitoring, at a time based on the token bucketinformation, for a signal on a second RF band; and communicating on thesecond RF band during the access block according to the communicationschedule if the signal is detected by the monitoring, wherein thecommunication on the second RF band uses the first type of RAT.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides an apparatus configured forcommunication. The apparatus including: means for communicating on afirst radio frequency (RF) band, wherein the communication on the firstRF band uses a first type of radio access technology (RAT); means forreceiving a communication schedule and token bucket information; andmeans for monitoring, at a time based on the token bucket information,for a signal on a second RF band, wherein the means for communicating isconfigured to communicate on the second RF band during the access blockaccording to the communication schedule if the signal is detected by themonitoring, and wherein the communication on the second RF band uses thefirst type of RAT.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, includingcode to: communicate on a first radio frequency (RF) band, wherein thecommunication on the first RF band uses a first type of radio accesstechnology (RAT); receive a communication schedule and token bucketinformation; monitor, at a time based on the token bucket information,for a signal on a second RF band; and communicate on the second RF bandduring the access block according to the communication schedule if thesignal is detected by the monitoring, wherein the communication on thesecond RF band uses the first type of RAT

These and other aspects of the disclosure will become more fullyunderstood upon a review of the detailed description, which follows.Other aspects, features, and implementations of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, upon reviewingthe following description of specific implementations of the disclosurein conjunction with the accompanying figures. While features of thedisclosure may be discussed relative to certain implementations andfigures below, all implementations of the disclosure can include one ormore of the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words,while one or more implementations may be discussed as having certainadvantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used inaccordance with the various implementations of the disclosure discussedherein. In similar fashion, while certain implementations may bediscussed below as device, system, or method implementations it shouldbe understood that such implementations can be implemented in variousdevices, systems, and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a scheduling andtoken bucket scheme in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multiple accesswireless communication system within which aspects of the disclosure mayfind application.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of awireless communication device supporting co-existence in accordance withsome aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of scheduling inaccordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a downlink sub-frame andan example of an uplink sub-frame in accordance with some aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an access block inaccordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a self-contained framestructure in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a self-containedframe structure in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control channelcarrying information in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a downlinksub-frame in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of an uplink sub-framein accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of a downlinksub-frame in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of an uplink sub-framein accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bi-directionalsub-frame in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of coordinationacross wireless communication devices in accordance with some aspects ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of an example hardwareimplementation for an apparatus (e.g., an electronic device) that cansupport communication in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a communicationprocess in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a tokenbucket-based process in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a tokenbucket-based process in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a reservationsignal process in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a tokenbucket-related process in accordance with some aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates a block diagram of another example hardwareimplementation for an apparatus (e.g., an electronic device) that cansupport communication in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram illustrating another example of acommunication process in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a tokenbucket-based process in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a tokenbucket-based process in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 26 is a flow diagram illustrating another example of acommunication process in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a tokenbucket-related process in accordance with some aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 28 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a scheduling andtoken bucket process in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication networkwithin which one or more aspects of the disclosure may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure relates in some aspects to a scheduling and token bucketscheme for co-existence of different radio access technologies on acommunication resource. The industrial, scientific, and medical radioband (ISM band) and the unlicensed national information infrastructureradio band (U-NII band) are candidates for 5^(th) Generation (5G) radioaccess technologies. Current users in these RF bands typically use Wi-Firadio access technology, with an ever growing share of the number ofdevices in this band. For 5G technology to effectively operate in theseRF bands, 5G operation may incorporate mechanisms to avoid collisionswith Wi-Fi traffic and to ensure fairness among users of each RF band astaught herein. For example, Wi-Fi traffic error recovery uses are-transmission scheme, while rate adaptation in Wi-Fi algorithmsresponds to errors by reducing the physical (PHY) layer signaling rate.Thus, a 5G solution that leads to collisions with Wi-Fi could result inlower medium (e.g., RF band) availability for 5G communication.

The disclosure relates in some aspects to token bucket-based accesstechniques and frame structures for effective co-existence of aninfra-structure-like network (e.g., a 5G network, as opposed to apeer-to-peer network) with a wireless local area network (WLAN) such asa Wi-Fi network. For example, a device may use these techniques toaccess a 20 MHz band (or some other bandwidth) within an 80 MHzunlicensed band that is typically used by Wi-Fi devices. Thesetechniques are also applicable to other types of radio accesstechnologies (e.g., 3G, 4G, WiMax, and so on).

In some aspects, the token bucket is used to moderate the amount of timethat 5G communication is used on a medium that is shared with devicesthat use another RAT (e.g., Wi-Fi). For example, a first device (e.g., abase station) may use the token bucket to ensure that the first device's5G communication with a second device (e.g., a user equipment) uses themedium on a periodic basis, rather than a continual basis. To this end,token bucket parameters are shared between the devices so that thesecond device will know the token arrival times at the first device.Thus, the devices can, in synchronization, commence 5G communication(e.g., wake up) based on the token arrival times. Moreover, a device canuse the token bucket to accumulate authorization to access the mediumwhen the device is not actively using the medium. Thus, a device canaccess the medium more often during those times when the device actuallyneeds to use the medium.

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various configurations and isnot intended to represent the only configurations in which the conceptsdescribed herein may be practiced. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that these concepts may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well known structures and components areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communication system 100 thatsupports communication co-existence in accordance with the teachingsherein. The communication system 100 includes a base station 102 thatcommunicates 126 with a user equipment (UE) 104 via a first radiofrequency (RF) band. Typically, the communication system 100 willinclude other wireless communication devices (e.g., other base stationsand UEs). To reduce the complexity of FIG. 1, however, only one basestation and one UE are shown.

The base station 102 includes a 5G transceiver 106 and the UE 104includes a 5G transceiver 108 for the communication 126 via the first RFband (and optionally other RF bands). As discussed below, eachtransceiver may include PHY layer functionality and media access control(MAC) layer functionality. In accordance with the teachings herein, thebase station 102 and the UE 104 may also communicate 128 via a second RFband that is being used by a Wi-Fi device 110. To this end, the basestation 102 includes a co-existence manager 112, a scheduler 114, and atoken bucket 116 that collectively avoid collisions and ensure accessfairness on the second RF band.

The first and second RF bands might or might not overlap. In somescenarios, the second RF band does not overlap with the first RF band.In some scenarios, the second RF band partially overlaps with the firstRF band. In some scenarios, the second RF band is entirely within thefirst RF band. In some scenarios, the first RF band is entirely withinthe second RF band.

The base station 102 uses the token bucket 116 to ensure accessfairness, for example, by limiting access to the second RF bandaccording to a token arrival rate. Once a token arrives (e.g., is addedto the token bucket 116), the co-existence manager 112 may monitor 130the second RF band (e.g., using a Wi-Fi transceiver 118) to determinewhether the second RF band is idle. If so, the co-existence manager 112causes a clear-to-send (CTS) or some other suitable type of signal to besent 132 over the second RF band (e.g., using the Wi-Fi transceiver 118)to reserve the second RF band for 5G communication. If the base station102 ends up using the second RF band (e.g., during a scheduled accessblock), a token is deleted from the token bucket. If the base station102 does not end up using the second RF band during the access block(e.g., the second RF band is not idle), a token is not deleted from thetoken bucket. Thus, tokens may be accumulated at the base station 102,up to a maximum token limit.

The scheduler 114 defines the schedule to be used by the base station102 and the UE 104 for 5G communication on the second RF band. In oneaspect, relatively short frames are scheduled (e.g., for an accessblock) to ensure that Wi-Fi devices (e.g., including the Wi-Fi device110) have adequate access to the second RF band.

The base station 102 sends its schedule and token bucket information 134to the UE 104. For example, the base station 102 may send thisinformation via a control channel such as a physical downlink controlchannel (PDCCH) or via some other suitable signaling technique. Theschedule and token bucket information 134 may include, for example, anindication of the specific time slots that are scheduled for 5Gcommunication on the second RF band as well as token bucket parameters(e.g., token arrival rate, maximum number of tokens, etc.).

Thus, the UE 104 maintains its own instance of a schedule 120 for 5Gcommunication on the second RF band and its own instance of a tokenbucket 122 (e.g., that mirrors the token bucket 116). This enables theUE 104 to monitor the second RF band at the times the base station 102is expected to commence 5G communication on the second RF band. Forexample, at a defined token arrival time (e.g., as defined by theschedule 120 and/or the parameters of the token bucket 122), the UE 104may switch its 5G communication from the first RF band (or wake from alow power state) to communicate via the second RF band. The UE 104 mayconfirm that a 5G communication from the base station 102 is beginningduring a scheduled access block on the second RF band upon receipt of adownlink signal from the base station 102. If the UE 104 detects adownlink signal, the UE 104 proceeds with the 5G communication anddeletes a token from the token bucket 122. If the UE 104 does not detecta downlink signal, the UE 104 does not delete a token from the tokenbucket 122 and may go back to sleep until the next token arrival time.In some implementations, the UE 104 may include a Wi-Fi transceiver 124for monitoring the second RF band to determine whether the second RFband is clear (or sufficiently clear for 5G communication) in thevicinity of the UE 104.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a communication network 200 in whichaspects of the present disclosure may be performed. For purposes ofillustration, the communication network 200 is shown as including a basestation (BS) 201 and several wireless communication nodes. It should beappreciated that the communication network 200 would typically includeother devices as well (e.g., one or more of: other base stations, otherwireless communication nodes, or network entities). Each base stationmay correspond to, for example, the base station 102 of FIG. 1. Eachwireless communication node may correspond to, for example, the UE 104of FIG. 1.

A base station may include one or more antennas. In the example of FIG.2, the base station 201 includes multiple antenna groups, one groupincluding antennas 204 and 206, another group including antennas 208 and210, and an additional group including antennas 212 and 214. In FIG. 2,two antennas are shown for each antenna group, however, more or fewerantennas could be utilized for each antenna group.

The base station 201 communicates with one or more wirelesscommunication nodes via these antennas. A wireless communication node216 may be in communication with the antennas 212 and 214, where theantennas 212 and 214 transmit information to the wireless node 216 overa forward link 220 and receive information from the wirelesscommunication node 216 over a reverse link 218. A wireless communicationnode 222 may be in communication with the antennas 204 and 206, wherethe antennas 204 and 206 transmit information to the wirelesscommunication node 222 over a forward link 226 and receive informationfrom the wireless communication node 222 over a reverse link 224.

The base station 201 may also be in communication with other wirelesscommunication nodes, which may be, for example, Internet-of-Everything(IoE) devices. An IoE device 236 may be in communication with one ormore other antennas of the base station 201, where the antennas transmitinformation to the IoE device 236 over a forward link 240 and receiveinformation from the IoE device 236 over a reverse link 238. An IoEdevice 242 may be in communication with one or more other antennas ofthe base station 201, where the antennas transmit information to the IoEdevice 242 over a forward link 246 and receive information from the IoEdevice 242 over a reverse link 244.

In a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, the communication links218, 220, 224, 226, 238, 240, 244, and 246 may use different frequenciesfor communication. For example, the forward link 220 may use a differentfrequency than that used by the reverse link 218, and the forward link240 may use a different frequency than that used by the reverse link238.

The various concepts presented throughout this disclosure may beimplemented across a broad variety of telecommunication systems, networkarchitectures, and communication standards. For example, the ThirdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) is a standards body that definesseveral wireless communication standards for networks involving theevolved packet system (EPS), frequently referred to as long-termevolution (LTE) networks. Evolved versions of the LTE network, such as afifth-generation (5G) network, may provide for many different types ofservices or applications, including but not limited to web browsing,video streaming, VoIP, mission critical applications, multi-hopnetworks, remote operations with real-time feedback (e.g.,tele-surgery), etc.

5G with Wi-Fi Co-Existence

Examples of co-existence access techniques for wireless communicationdevices (e.g., a base station and a UE) will now be described withreference to FIGS. 3-15. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a wirelesscommunication device 302 that includes a co-existence manager 304 thatmanages co-existence on a communication medium (e.g., on one or more RFbands). The wireless communication device 302 also includes Wi-FiPHY/MAC layer functionality 306 and 5G PHY/MAC layer functionality 308,each of which is capable of transmitting and/or receiving signalsaccording to the corresponding radio access technology. The wirelesscommunication device 302 may correspond to, for example, the basestation 102 of FIG. 1.

A UE (not shown) may operate as a subordinate device (e.g., a scheduledevice) to the wireless communication device 302 (e.g., a schedulingdevice) in this example. For example, a UE might only transmit whenscheduled by the wireless communication device 302. Thus, in someimplementations, the UE does not monitor the state of the unlicensedmedium to be used for 5G communication.

The co-existence manager 304 may initiate a sub-frame sequence for 5Gcommunication on a medium that is being (or may be) used by Wi-Fidevices. In one example, each sub-frame is 0.5 milliseconds (ms). Toensure fairness on the channel, only a subset of the number ofsub-frames that could be used on the channel is utilized for 5Gcommunication. For example, the number of contiguous sub-frames used for5G could be limited to ten sub-frames or some other suitable number.This helps to ensure that the medium is not blocked for too long of aperiod of time (e.g., no longer than 5 ms).

A token bucket-based access technique that may be used by a base station(e.g., the wireless communication device 302 of FIG. 3) to controlcommunication on the next scheduled access block of sub-frames (orslots) will now be described with reference to FIG. 4. In some aspects,this technique may allow for UEs (e.g., stations, STAs) to wake up closeto (e.g., shortly before) the scheduled block of sub-frames.

Each base station may be configured with the following token bucketinformation: a token fill rate and a maximum number of tokens. For eachtoken in the token bucket, a device (e.g., a base station or a UE) isallowed to access the medium during an access block (e.g., a 5 ms block)that occurs at the time of availability of the token (e.g., the tokenarrival time).

As discussed above, every UE served by a particular base station may beprovided with that base station's token bucket parameters. Accordingly,a UE will know the token arrival time for the base station and cantherefore determine the exact time that the base station has a token.Thus, a UE may elect to wake up from a low power (e.g., sleep) mode atthe time the UE determines that the base station has a token.

Tokens may accumulate in a token bucket. For example, a base station mayaccumulate a token for every block of time the base station does notutilize (e.g., due to lack of traffic to send or due to traffic on thechannel). The number of tokens accumulated in the token bucket can becontrolled to ensure that the number does not exceed a maximum number.

FIG. 4 illustrates example timing diagrams 402 and 404 for a tokenbucket-based access technique. The timing diagram 402 corresponds to ascenario where the token bucket is empty upon completion of a firstaccess block. The timing diagram 404 corresponds to a scenario where thetoken bucket still contains at least one token upon completion of afirst access block.

Referring initially to the timing diagram 402, the following accessoperation may be performed by base station when a token is present(e.g., following a token arrival time 422). A Wi-Fi MAC of the basestation begins a clear channel assessment (CCA) procedure or some othertype of medium contention procedure a period of time (e.g., Xmicroseconds, μs) prior to the first scheduled sub-frame. For example,if the medium is detected as idle, the base station may send out a CTS406 to reserve the medium for a period of time corresponding to anaccess block 408 (e.g., the subsequent 10 sub-frames). In someimplementations, an address of the CTS 406 may be set to an addressreserved for 5G operation. In this way, a device that receives the CTS406 can determine that the CTS 406 relates to a scheduled 5Gcommunication. Since the token bucket is empty after completion of theaccess block 408 in this example, the base station may wait until thenext token arrival time 424 to send another CTS 410 to reserve the timefor another access block 412.

The following access operations may be performed at the UEs. Asdiscussed above, the UEs can track the token bucket used by the basestation. Accordingly, a UE can wake up slightly prior to the start of a5G access block and determine whether the base station has a token. Upondetermining that the base station has started the sequence of sub-framesof an access block, the UE participates in each of the sub-framesaccording to the schedule provided by the base station. In someimplementations, the first sub-frame of a 5G access block begins with adownlink transmission (e.g., even if the sub-frame is designated asuplink-centric). Thus, a UE may monitor for this downlink transmission(not shown in FIG. 4) to determine whether the base station will becommunicating during the 5G access block.

Referring to the timing diagram 404, the following access operation maybe performed by a base station when a token bucket contains multipletokens (e.g., following a token arrival time 426). If the medium isdetected as idle, the base station sends out a CTS 414 to reserve themedium for a period of time corresponding to an access block 416.

Since there is still at least one token in the token bucket aftercompletion of the access block 416 in this example, the base station mayimmediately (e.g., at a time 428 prior to a next token arrival time)send another CTS 418 to contend for access to the medium (e.g., reservethe time for another access block 420).

Due to CCA conditions, access during the first possible sub-frame mightnot be possible. In this case, the base station may persist with thecontention procedure until the CTS is sent. At the sub-frame that issubsequent to this CTS, the base station initiates communication for the5G sub-frames (e.g., the remaining portion of the 5G access block).

If the CCA procedure at the base station does not allow for CTStransmission within the sub-frame prior to the desired start of the 5Gaccess block, one of two options may be followed in a representativeimplementation. In a first option (Option 1), the base station persistswith the CCA/contention until the CTS can be sent. Here, UEs (STAs) mayremain awake until communication commences on one of the 5G sub-frames.A new token may arrive during the contention period.

In a second option (Option 2), the base station persists withCCA/contention for a known duration (e.g., a defined number ofsub-frames). If a CTS still cannot be sent (e.g., after two sub-frames),the base station stores the token and restarts the 5G access operationat the next token arrival time.

In view of Options 1 and 2, the following operations may be performed inthe event a base station has accumulated multiple tokens in the tokenbucket (e.g., the scenario associated with the timing diagram 404). Assoon as a 5G access block is completed, the base station startscontending for the next CTS to send. Also, the UEs will be aware thatthe base station has more tokens in the token bucket. Consequently, theUEs may persist in the wake state. If the base station cannot access themedium again, the base station persists according to behavior describedin Option 1 or Option 2.

In some implementations, CCA is also implemented at a UE. For example, aUE that detects high interference in its neighborhood may elect to notcommunicate during the next 5G access block.

Frame Structures

FIGS. 5-14 illustrate example frame structures may be used inconjunction with a token bucket-based access technique as taught herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a downlink (DL) sub-frame structure 502and an uplink (UL) sub-frame structure 504. Transmit (Tx) and receive(Rx) directions are as indicated.

The sub-frame structure 502 includes a Pre-Schedule (Pre-Sched) field506, a guard period (GP)+CCA field 508, a Schedule Response (SchedResp)field 510, a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) field 512, a Datafield 514, a GP field 516, an Acknowledgement and Data (ACK+Data) field518, and an Acknowledgement (ACK) field 520. A CTS network allocationvector (NAV) for the sub-frame structure 502 (e.g., due to a CTS, notshown, that precedes the sub-frame structure 502) may cover the timeperiod indicated by the line 522.

The sub-frame structure 504 includes a Pre-Schedule (Pre-Sched) field524, a GP+CCA field 526, a Schedule Response (SchedResp) field 528, aPDCCH field 530, a GP field 532, a Data field 534, and a Control field536. A CTS network allocation vector (NAV) for the sub-frame structure504 (e.g., due to a CTS, not shown, that precedes the sub-framestructure 504) may cover the time period indicated by the line 538.

When a token is available, the base station initiates a sequence of theappropriate sub-frames (for DL or UL). In a typical implementation, thefirst sub-frame of a sequence is a DL-centric frame. Thus, UEs candetect the start of a sub-frame sequence by detecting the PreSched field506 as illustrated in FIG. 5. In implementations where the firstsub-frame of a 5G access block is an UL-centric frame, a small downlinkindication (not shown) from the base station may be added to theUL-centric frame.

In some implementations, a sub-frame of an access block may include aCTS. In this case, an access block might not be preceded by a CTS. FIG.6 illustrates an example of such an implementation. Here, an accessblock 600 (consisting of ten sub-frames) is not preceded by a CTS.Instead, a CTS-to-self (CTS2S) 602 may be included in one or more of thesub-frames (e.g., as illustrated for a sub-frame 604) of the accessblock 600.

FIG. 6 also illustrates that a CTS (or data) might not be communicatedin one or more of the sub-frames (e.g., as illustrated for a sub-frame606, represented as a dashed block). For example, if the RF band isinitially in-use, a base station may wait until the RF band is idle tosend the CTS2S.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate examples of self-contained frame structures 700and 800, respectively, for unlicensed access. As used herein, the termself-contained can mean that a frame structure may accommodateinformation (e.g., data) flow in one direction (e.g., the DL) andsignaling (e.g., control flow, such as for ACKs) in the oppositedirection (e.g., the UL). In each figure, the top portion of the figureshows the frame structure in a high-level manner to illustrate thescheduled uplink (U) and downlink (D) sub-frames. The remainder of eachfigure then shows the frame structure in an expanded form to illustratethe fields of a DL-centric sub-frame and an UL-centric sub-frame.

In the frame structure 700, the field 702 is for DL transmission of a DLCTS for a DL-centric sub-frame and the field 710 is for UL transmissionof an UL CTS for an UL-centric sub-frame. The DL CTS in the field 702 istransmitted prior to the first sub-frame 718 (a DL-centric sub-frame) ofthe frame structure 700. The UL CTS in the field 710 is transmitted inthe first UL-centric sub-frame 720 of the frame structure 700. Asdiscussed herein, each CTS may include a corresponding 5G address. Inthe example of FIG. 7, each CTS has a duration of 40 μs. Differentimplementations may use different CTS durations.

Each sub-frame commences with a PDCCH and ends with a common UL burst.Depending on the sub-frame type (DL-centric or UL-centric), thesub-frame includes either DL data or UL data. Thus, in the DL-centricsub-frame, the field 716 is for DL transmission of PDCCH, the field 704is for DL data transmission, and the field 706 is for transmission of anUL common burst (e.g., that includes control information such as an ACKin response to a DL data transmission). Similarly, in the UL-centricsub-frame, the field 708 is for DL transmission of PDCCH, the field 712is for UL data transmission, and the field 714 is for transmission of acommon UL burst.

When a token is available, a base station may initiate a sequence ofself-contained frames. As discussed above, the base station may send outa CTS (e.g., in the field 702) prior to the first sub-frame. All UEs(STAs) under the base station may then send a CTS (e.g., together) inthe first UL-centric frame (e.g., in the field 710) of the sub-framesequence. Thus, an UL CTS may be transmitted immediately prior totransmission of UL data (in field 712) in the first sub-frame that isUL-centric.

As discussed herein, each CTS may be sent via Wi-Fi technology. Thus,Wi-Fi devices in the vicinity of the base station or the UE may back offthe corresponding medium (e.g., a particular RF band) upon receivingsuch a CTS. Consequently, interference (or potential interference) inthe vicinity of the base station and UE may be reduced or eliminated.

As mentioned above, the UL CTS may be sent in the first sub-frame thatincludes UL data. In practice, this scheme might not provide optimalprotection against interference. For example, if several DL-centricsub-frames are sent in succession, without any intervening UL-centricsub-frames, there may be insufficient protection from interference at aUE (e.g., due to the distance between the base station and the UE andthe limited range of the DL CTS). FIG. 8 illustrates an example of aframe structure 800 where an UL CTS is sent during a DL-centricsub-frame, thereby addressing this issue.

The frame structure 800 of FIG. 8 includes a first sub-frame sequence824 and a second sub-frame sequence 826. A CTS is sent in the DL priorto the first sub-frame of each sub-frame sequence and a CTS is sent inthe UL in the first sub-frame of each sub-frame sequence. Thus, theexchange of CTSs may be used in the first sub-frame of a sequenceirrespective of whether the sub-frame is uplink oriented or downlinkoriented. As compared to the example of FIG. 7, there may be slightlymore overhead in the example of FIG. 8 if the first sub-frame isDL-centric frame since there are two “turn arounds” in the FIG. 8example.

In FIG. 8, the fields 802 and 812 are for DL transmission of a DL CTSand the fields 808 and 816 are for UL transmission of an UL CTS. The DLCTS in the field 802 is transmitted prior to the first sub-frame 828 (aDL-centric sub-frame) of the first sub-frame sequence 824 while thecorresponding UL CTS (in the field 808) is transmitted in the sub-frame828. The DL CTS in the field 812 is transmitted prior to the firstsub-frame 830 (an UL-centric sub-frame) of the second sub-frame sequence826 while the corresponding UL CTS (in the field 816) is transmitted inthe sub-frame 830. As discussed herein, each CTS may include acorresponding 5G address. In the example of FIG. 8, each CTS has aduration of 40 μs. Different implementations may use different CTSdurations.

Each sub-frame commences with a PDCCH and ends with a common UL burst.Depending on the sub-frame type (DL-centric or UL-centric), thesub-frame includes either DL data or UL data. Thus, in the DL-centricsub-frame, the field 804 is for DL transmission of PDCCH, the field 810is for DL data transmission, and the field 820 is for transmission of anUL common burst (e.g., that includes control information such as an ACKin response to a DL data transmission). Similarly, in the UL-centricsub-frame, the field 814 is for DL transmission of the PDCCH, the field818 is for UL data transmission, and the field 822 is for transmissionof a common UL burst.

In the examples of FIGS. 7 and 8 (as well as other example herein), abase station may use the PDCCH or some other channel to request UEs tosend an UL CTS. For example, a base station may indicate in PDCCH thatall UEs (e.g., all UEs currently served by the base station) are to senda CTS. As another example, the base station may indicate (e.g.,identify) the UEs that are most likely to be scheduled and that should,therefore, send an UL CTS. In some scenarios, the base station mayselect the UEs that are to send a CTS based on the locations of the UEs.In some implementations, the base station uses a CTS sender bitmap toindicate which UEs are to send a CTS.

In some implementations, a UE being served by a base station may supportCCA. For example, regulatory requirements may specify that UEs are touse a listen-before-talk procedure before accessing a particular medium.If CCA at a UE is indicated, a UE may record the CCA state prior to(e.g., 25 us prior to) and after receiving the initial CTS (and,optionally, the PDCCH). Here, the UE may determine from the schedulewhen the base station is to send its CTS. In some implementations (e.g.,where a UE includes a Wi-Fi PHY/MAC), recordation of the CCA state mayinvolve decoding Wi-Fi signals on the medium. In some implementations(e.g., where a UE does not include a Wi-Fi PHY/MAC), recordation of theCCA state may involve detecting energy on the medium. If the CCAindicates that the medium is sufficiently clear (e.g., the idle periodis greater than a threshold), the UE may send a CTS if instructed to doso by an indication in the PDCCH. Conversely, if the medium is notsufficiently clear, the UE may elect to not send a CTS and may refrainfrom communicating during the corresponding access block. In someimplementations, a UE may store a CTS as a “canned waveform.”

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of information that may be carried in acontrol channel. For purposes of illustration, this example depictsinformation carried by the PDCCH field 814 of FIG. 8. It should beappreciated that in other implementations some other signaling techniquecould be used to carry the information. In FIG. 9, a PDCCH symbol 1 ofthe PDCCH 814 carries a CTS sender bitmap 902 (e.g., as discussedabove). In addition, a token buffer state 904 (e.g., the token rate andthe token bucket size) is carried by the PDCCH symbol 1 and a PDCCHsymbol 2 of the PDCCH 814. Alternatively, or in addition, thisinformation could be carried by another symbol or other symbols.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate examples of self-contained frame structuresfor unlicensed access where a sub-frame may be preceded by a CTS-2-Selfand include a CTS-2-Self. FIG. 10 illustrates a DL-centricself-contained sub-frame 1000, while FIG. 11 illustrates an UL-centricself-contained sub-frame 1100.

The sub-frame 1000 is preceded by a first CTS-2-Self (CTS2S) field 1002.The sub-frame 1000 includes a Pre-Schedule (Pre-Sched) field 1004, aGP+CCA field 1006, a Schedule Response (SchedResp) field 1008, a PDCCHfield 1010, a second CTS-2-Self field 1012, a Data field 1014, a GPfield 1016, an Acknowledgement and Data (ACK+Data) field 1018, and anAcknowledgement (ACK) field 1020. As discussed herein, a base stationmay perform a CCA procedure before the first sub-frame (e.g., thesub-frame 1000) of a sub-frame sequence. The NAV duration for the firstCTS-2-Self (in the first CTS-2-Self field 1002) is indicated by the line1022. The NAV duration for the second CTS-2-Self (in the secondCTS-2-Self field 1012) is indicated by the line 1024.

The sub-frame 1100 is preceded by a first CTS-2-Self field 1102. Thesub-frame 1100 includes a Pre-Schedule (Pre-Sched) field 1104, a GP+CCAfield 1106, a Schedule Response (SchedResp) field 1108, a PDCCH field1110, a second CTS-2-Self field 1112, a GP field 1114, a Data field1116, and a Control field 1118. Again, a base station may perform a CCAprocedure before the first sub-frame (e.g., the sub-frame 1100) of asub-frame sequence. The NAV duration for the first CTS-2-Self (in thefirst CTS-2-Self field 1102) is indicated by the line 1120. The NAVduration for the second CTS-2-Self (in the second CTS-2-Self field 1112)is indicated by the line 1122.

When a token is available, a base station initiates a sequence ofself-contained sub-frames (e.g., consisting of the sub-frame 1000 or1100) for a 5G access block. In a typical implementation, the firstsub-frame of a sequence is a DL-centric frame. Thus, UEs can detect thestart of a sub-frame sequence by detecting a PreSched field asillustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. In implementations where the firstsub-frame of a sequence is an UL-centric frame, the base station may adda small downlink indication (not shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) to the frame.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate additional examples of self-contained framestructures. FIG. 12 illustrates a DL-centric self-contained sub-frame1200, FIG. 13 illustrates an UL-centric self-contained sub-frame 1300,and FIG. 14 illustrates a bidirectional self-contained sub-frame 1400.

The sub-frame 1200 includes a Pre-Schedule (Pre-Sched) field 1202, a GPfield 1204, a Schedule Response (SchedResp) field 1206, a PDCCH field1208, a Data field 1210, a GP field 1212, an Acknowledgement and Data(ACK+Data) field 1214, and an Acknowledgement (ACK) field 1216. Transmit(Tx) and receive (Rx) directions are as indicated.

The sub-frame 1300 includes a GP field 1302, a Pre-Schedule (Pre-Sch)field 1304 (e.g., including a scheduling request, SR), a ScheduleResponse (Sch-Resp) and PDCCH field 1306, a GP field 1308, a Data field1310, and an Acknowledgement (ACK) field 1312. Transmit (Tx) and receive(Rx) directions are as indicated.

The sub-frame 1400 includes an uplink (UL) field 1402, a downlink (DL)field 1404, a DL Data field 1406, a GP field 1408, an UL Data+ACK for DLfield 1410, a DL ACK for UL Data field 1412, and a GP field 1414. The ULfield 1402 may include a channel quality indication (CQI), an SR, asounding reference signal (SRS), and an ACK. The DL field 1402 mayinclude synchronization signals (Sync), a Grant, assignment information(Assgn), an ACK, and a Marker. Transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) directionsare as indicated.

Access Coordination

Referring now to the timing diagram 1500 of FIG. 15, accessco-ordination may be applied across multiple base stations (or othermanagement devices). For example, when multiple base stations (e.g., thebase stations BS1, BS2, and BS3 of FIG. 15) are present in proximity,the base stations may attempt to coordinate for minimum interference.This coordination may involve, for example, complete orthogonalizationor slot alignment.

For complete orthogonalization, the 5G access blocks of one base stationdo not overlap with the 5G access blocks of other neighboring basestations. For example, the base stations could choose different channelsor choose different time lines.

For slot alignment, the base stations may attempt to maximize the numberof slots where the base stations' 5G communications are aligned inUL-centric or DL-centric mode. Base stations (or cells) that are withinWi-Fi range can use the technique shown in FIG. 15 to ensure that theyare aligned. A first one of the base stations (the base station BS1)sends out a CTS 1502 (e.g., after the base station BS1 wins contentionfor the corresponding communication medium). Thus, Wi-Fi devices in thevicinity of the first base station BS1 will back off the medium.Moreover, the other base stations may determine that the CTS 1502 is for5G communication because the CTS 1502 may include a globally unique 5Gaddress or some other indication that the CTS 1502 is for 5Gcommunication. Accordingly, upon hearing the CTS 1502, the other basestations send their CTSs as well (the base station BS2 sends a CTS 1504and the base station BS3 sends a CTS 1506), thereby reserving the mediumaround them. In the example of FIG. 15, the base stations BS2 and BS3send the CTSs 1504 and 1506 a short interframe space (SIFS) time period1508 after the CTS 1502. Wi-Fi devices in the vicinity of the other basestations BS2 and BS3 will also back off the medium in response to theCTSs 1504 and 1506. Accordingly, the base stations BS1, BS2, and BS3 maynow share the medium without interference from (or without interferingwith) nearby Wi-Fi devices.

The base stations BS1, BS2, and BS3 may thus communicate with UEs duringtheir respective access blocks 1510, 1512, and 1514. As indicated inFIG. 15, these access blocks may overlap. Accordingly, the base stationsBS1, BS2, and BS3 may communicate using code division multiple access(cdma) or some other multiple access technique (e.g., a 5G multipleaccess technique).

Token Bucket Parameter Signaling

In some implementations, a token bucket may be based on dynamicparameters and/or semi-static parameters. Dynamic parameters of thetoken bucket may include, for example, the number of tokens in the tokenbucket, and the time to the next token. Semi-static parameters mayinclude, for example, the maximum token bucket size (e.g., the maximumnumber of tokens that can be accumulated), and the token inter-arrivaltime (e.g., the token arrival rate).

These parameters may be signaled in different ways in differentimplementations. Three example options for signaling these parametersfollow. In a first option (Option 1), a base station continuouslybroadcasts in PDCCH or some other channel the dynamic parameters and thesemi-static parameters. In a second option (Option 2), the base stationprovides the semi-static parameters at connection set up andcontinuously broadcasts the dynamic parameters in PDCCH or some otherchannel. In a third option (Option 3), the base station provides theparameters (dynamic and/or semi-static parameters) on demand to the UEs.In Option 3, the base station may use broadcast signaling to indicatewhether the semi-static parameters have changed. UEs may request (e.g.,demand) parameters when they join the base station and/or when a changein parameters is indicated. A device (e.g., a base station or a UE) mayassociate a counter with the current parameter set, and increment thecounter whenever the set changes. In this way, the devices in a systemmay coordinate changes in the parameters.

In addition to the above, a UE may query the base station if the currentparameters have been persistent for a threshold period of time. This maybe used to ensure freshness of the parameter. Such a case may be usefulif the UE has been dormant for some time.

In a typical implementation, a base station uses a common token bucketfor communication with all of the UEs being served by the base station.In this case, the base station may send the same token bucketinformation to each of the UEs. In other implementations, however, abase station may use multiple token buckets, where a given token bucketis used for communication with a particular UE. In this case, for eachUE, the base station may send to that UE the particular token bucketinformation corresponding to that UE.

The following operations may be used to obtain initial token bucketsynchronization between a base station and a UE in some implementations.The UE listens for the token bucket parameters that are transmitted in acontrol channel (e.g., in a PDCCH). On obtaining the token parametersthat include the token rate and the current token bucket size, the UEcan determine the arrival times of subsequent tokens based on the tokenarrival rate. The UE can then wake at the designated token intervals(e.g., corresponding to the token arrival rate) as discussed herein. Aninitial time of reference (e.g., an actual time of arrival for aparticular token) may be indicated by signaling or may be predefined.For example, a particular sub-frame may be designated as an initial timeof reference for calculating subsequent token arrival times based on thetoken arrival rate. Any subsequent changes to the token information maybe communicated in a similar manner (e.g., via subsequent PDCCHsignaling).

Other Aspects

By restricting 5G access to the WLAN through the use of a scheduling andtoken bucket scheme, fair access may be ensured for Wi-Fi traffic, withlittle or no impact on Wi-Fi latency. For example, in some aspects, theaccess scheme provided herein can restrict cellular traffic (or othersimilar traffic) on WLAN channels (or other similar channels) accordingto a fairness criterion (e.g., a token arrival rate or token bucketinformation). Also, advantages provided by the access scheme disclosedherein may be achieved even when complete erasure is assumed for 5Gtraffic when this traffic is subject to collision. Also, improvements inlatency may be achieved through the use of a hybrid automatic repeatrequest (HARQ) recovery mechanism or similar mechanism for the 5Gtraffic.

In some aspects, the term token bucket refers to an algorithm thatcontrols whether an action can be performed based on whether a token isavailable (e.g., whether there are any tokens in the token bucket). Atoken can be any indication suitable for controlling the action. Itshould be appreciated that the terms token and token bucket cover anytype of technique that provides the above functionality or any othertype of token bucket-related functionality, irrespective of whether thattechnique uses the term token or token bucket.

First Example Apparatus

FIG. 16 is an illustration of an apparatus 1600 that may supportscheduling according to one or more aspects of the disclosure. Theapparatus 1600 could embody or be implemented within a base station, amobile device, or some other type of device that supports wirelesscommunication. In various implementations, the apparatus 1600 couldembody or be implemented within an access point, an access terminal, orsome other type of device. In various implementations, the apparatus1600 could embody or be implemented within a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a portable computer, a server, a personal computer, asensor, an entertainment device, a medical device, or any otherelectronic device having circuitry. The apparatus 1600 includes acommunication interface (e.g., at least one transceiver) 1602, a storagemedium 1604, a user interface 1606, a memory device 1608, and aprocessor 1610 (e.g., a processing circuit).

These components can be coupled to and/or placed in electricalcommunication with one another via a signaling bus or other suitablecomponent, represented generally by the connection lines in FIG. 16. Thesignaling bus may include any number of interconnecting buses andbridges depending on the specific application of the processor 1610 andthe overall design constraints. The signaling bus links together variouscircuits such that each of the communication interface 1602, the storagemedium 1604, the user interface 1606, and the memory device 1608 arecoupled to and/or in electrical communication with the processor 1610.The signaling bus may also link various other circuits (not shown) suchas timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power managementcircuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not bedescribed any further.

The communication interface 1602 may be adapted to facilitate wirelesscommunication of the apparatus 1600. For example, the communicationinterface 1602 may include circuitry and/or programming adapted tofacilitate the communication of information bi-directionally withrespect to one or more communication devices in a network. In someimplementations, the communication interface 1602 may be configured forwire-based communication. In some implementations, the communicationinterface 1602 may be coupled to one or more antennas 1612 for wirelesscommunication within a wireless communication system. The communicationinterface 1602 can be configured with one or more standalone receiversand/or transmitters, as well as one or more transceivers. In theillustrated example, the communication interface 1602 includes atransmitter 1614 and a receiver 1616.

The memory device 1608 may represent one or more memory devices. Asindicated, the memory device 1608 may maintain schedule-relatedinformation 1618 along with other information used by the apparatus1600. In some implementations, the memory device 1608 and the storagemedium 1604 are implemented as a common memory component. The memorydevice 1608 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by theprocessor 1610 or some other component of the apparatus 1600.

The storage medium 1604 may represent one or more computer-readable,machine-readable, and/or processor-readable devices for storingprogramming, such as processor executable code or instructions (e.g.,software, firmware), electronic data, databases, or other digitalinformation. The storage medium 1604 may also be used for storing datathat is manipulated by the processor 1610 when executing programming.The storage medium 1604 may be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose processor, including portable orfixed storage devices, optical storage devices, and various othermediums capable of storing, containing or carrying programming.

By way of example and not limitation, the storage medium 1604 mayinclude a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strip), an optical disk (e.g., a compact disc (CD) or a digitalversatile disc (DVD)), a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., acard, a stick, or a key drive), a random access memory (RAM), a readonly memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM),an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a register, a removable disk,and any other suitable medium for storing software and/or instructionsthat may be accessed and read by a computer. The storage medium 1604 maybe embodied in an article of manufacture (e.g., a computer programproduct). By way of example, a computer program product may include acomputer-readable medium in packaging materials. In view of the above,in some implementations, the storage medium 1604 may be a non-transitory(e.g., tangible) storage medium.

The storage medium 1604 may be coupled to the processor 1610 such thatthe processor 1610 can read information from, and write information to,the storage medium 1604. That is, the storage medium 1604 can be coupledto the processor 1610 so that the storage medium 1604 is at leastaccessible by the processor 1610, including examples where at least onestorage medium is integral to the processor 1610 and/or examples whereat least one storage medium is separate from the processor 1610 (e.g.,resident in the apparatus 1600, external to the apparatus 1600,distributed across multiple entities, etc.).

Programming stored by the storage medium 1604, when executed by theprocessor 1610, causes the processor 1610 to perform one or more of thevarious functions and/or process operations described herein. Forexample, the storage medium 1604 may include operations configured forregulating operations at one or more hardware blocks of the processor1610, as well as to utilize the communication interface 1602 forwireless communication utilizing their respective communicationprotocols.

The processor 1610 is generally adapted for processing, including theexecution of such programming stored on the storage medium 1604. As usedherein, the terms “code” or “programming” shall be construed broadly toinclude without limitation instructions, instruction sets, data, code,code segments, program code, programs, programming, subprograms,software modules, applications, software applications, softwarepackages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads ofexecution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software,firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, orotherwise.

The processor 1610 is arranged to obtain, process and/or send data,control data access and storage, issue commands, and control otherdesired operations. The processor 1610 may include circuitry configuredto implement desired programming provided by appropriate media in atleast one example. For example, the processor 1610 may be implemented asone or more processors, one or more controllers, and/or other structureconfigured to execute executable programming Examples of the processor1610 may include a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor(DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic component,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general purpose processor may include a microprocessor, as well as anyconventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine.The processor 1610 may also be implemented as a combination of computingcomponents, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, anumber of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunctionwith a DSP core, an ASIC and a microprocessor, or any other number ofvarying configurations. These examples of the processor 1610 are forillustration and other suitable configurations within the scope of thedisclosure are also contemplated.

According to one or more aspects of the disclosure, the processor 1610may be adapted to perform any or all of the features, processes,functions, operations and/or routines for any or all of the apparatusesdescribed herein. For example, the processor 1610 may be configured toperform any of the steps, functions, and/or processes described withrespect to FIGS. 1-15 and 17-21. As used herein, the term “adapted” inrelation to the processor 1610 may refer to the processor 1610 being oneor more of configured, used, implemented, and/or programmed to perform aparticular process, function, operation and/or routine according tovarious features described herein.

The processor 1610 may be a specialized processor, such as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that serves as a meansfor (e.g., structure for) carrying out any one of the operationsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-15 and 17-21. The processor 1610may serve as one example of a means for transmitting and/or a means forreceiving. In various implementations, the processor 1610 mayincorporate the functionality of the base station 102 of FIG. 1 (e.g.,the co-existence manager 112 and/or the scheduler 114), the base station201 of FIG. 2, or the wireless communication device 302 of FIG. 3 (e.g.,the co-existence manager 304).

According to at least one example of the apparatus 1600, the processor1610 may include one or more of a circuit/module for communicating 1620,a circuit/module for determining whether an RF band is available 1622, acircuit/module for reserving 1624, a circuit/module for determiningwhether a token bucket contains a token 1626, a circuit/module forsending 1628, a circuit/module for waiting 1630, a circuit/module forreceiving 1632, or a circuit/module for determining at least oneparameter 1634. In various implementations, the circuit/module forcommunicating 1620, the circuit/module for determining whether an RFband is available 1622, the circuit/module for reserving 1624, thecircuit/module for determining whether a token bucket contains a token1626, the circuit/module for sending 1628, the circuit/module forwaiting 1630, the circuit/module for receiving 1632, or thecircuit/module for determining at least one parameter 1634 maycorrespond, at least in part, to the base station 102 of FIG. 1 (e.g.,the co-existence manager 112 and/or the scheduler 114), the base station201 of FIG. 2, or the wireless communication device 302 of FIG. 3 (e.g.,the co-existence manager 304).

The circuit/module for communicating 1620 may include circuitry and/orprogramming (e.g., code for communicating 1636 stored on the storagemedium 1604) adapted to perform several functions relating to, forexample, communicating on a first RF band. In some aspects, thecircuit/module for communicating 1620 may use a first type of RAT (e.g.,a 5G RAT) for communicating (e.g., sending and/or receiving)information. In some aspects, the circuit/module for communicating 1620may communicate on a second RF band during an access block using thefirst type of RAT as a result of the second RF band being reserved forcommunication (e.g., 5G communication). In some aspects, thecircuit/module for communicating 1620 may send (e.g., send via a DLcontrol channel to a UE) at least one parameter for a token bucket thata base station uses to access the second RF band. The at least oneparameter may include, for example, the token fill rate and/or themaximum number of tokens for the token bucket. In some implementations,the circuit/module for communicating 1620 is a transceiver. In someimplementations, the communication interface 1602 includes thecircuit/module for communicating 1620 and/or the code for communicating1636.

In implementations where the communicating involves receivinginformation, the circuit/module for communicating 1620 receivesinformation (e.g., from the communication interface 1602 or some othercomponent of the apparatus 1600), processes (e.g., decodes) theinformation, and sends the information to another component of theapparatus 1600 (e.g., the memory device 1608 or some other component).In some scenarios (e.g., if the circuit/module for communicating 1620includes a receiver), the communicating involves the circuit/module forcommunicating 1620 receiving information directly from a device thattransmitted the information.

In implementations where the communicating involves sending information,the circuit/module for communicating 1620 receives information (e.g.,from a component of the apparatus 1600), processes (e.g., encodes) theinformation, and sends the information to another component (e.g., thecommunication interface 1602) that will transmit the information. Insome scenarios (e.g., if the circuit/module for communicating 1620includes a transmitter), the communicating involves the circuit/modulefor communicating 1620 transmitting the information directly to anotherdevice (e.g., the ultimate destination).

The circuit/module for determining whether an RF band is available 1622may include circuitry and/or programming (e.g., code for determiningwhether an RF band is available 1638 stored on the storage medium 1604)adapted to perform several functions relating to, for example,determining, at a time based on a token arrival time, whether a secondRF band is available for communication. In some aspects, thisdetermination may include monitoring the second RF band using a secondtype of RAT (e.g., a Wi-Fi RAT). In some implementations, thecircuit/module for determining whether an RF band is available 1622performs CCA-related operations (e.g., as taught herein) to determinewhether an RF band is available. In some implementations, thecircuit/module for determining whether an RF band is available 1622performs Wi-Fi-related operations (e.g., decoding Wi-Fi signals) todetermine whether an RF band is available. In some implementations, thecircuit/module for determining whether an RF band is available 1622performs CTS-related operations (e.g., detecting CTS signals) todetermine whether an RF band is available. In some implementations, thecircuit/module for determining whether an RF band is available 1622senses energy on a medium and compares the sensed energy to a thresholdto determine whether an RF band is available. In some implementations,the circuit/module for determining whether an RF band is available 1622is or includes a receiver. In some implementations, the communicationinterface 1602 includes the circuit/module for determining whether an RFband is available 1622 and/or the code for determining whether an RFband is available 1638.

The circuit/module for reserving 1624 may include circuitry and/orprogramming (e.g., code for reserving 1640 stored on the storage medium1604) adapted to perform several functions relating to, for example,reserving the second RF band for communication of an access block if thedetermination indicates that the second RF band is available. In someaspects, the reservation may include sending a first reservation signalusing the second type of RAT (e.g., a Wi-Fi RAT). In someimplementations, the circuit/module for reserving 1624 performsCTS-related operations (e.g., sending CTS signals) to reserve an RFband. For example, the circuit/module for reserving 1624 may identify anappropriate time slot for sending a CTS (e.g., a slot preceding orwithin an access block) and then cause a CTS signal to be sent duringthat time slot. In some implementations, the circuit/module forreserving 1624 is or includes a transmitter. In some implementations,the communication interface 1602 includes the circuit/module forreserving 1624 and/or the code for reserving 1640.

The circuit/module for determining whether a token bucket contains atoken 1626 may include circuitry and/or programming (e.g., code fordetermining whether a token bucket contains a token 1642 stored on thestorage medium 1604) adapted to perform several functions relating to,for example, determining whether a token bucket contains a token aftercompletion of communication during an access block. In someimplementations, the circuit/module for determining whether a tokenbucket contains a token 1626 determines that an access block hascompleted (e.g., according to a 5G schedule for an RF band commonly usedby Wi-Fi devices), then reads a value from a memory locationcorresponding to the token bucket, and then determines whether the valueis non-zero.

The circuit/module for sending 1628 may include circuitry and/orprogramming (e.g., code for sending 1644 stored on the storage medium1604) adapted to perform several functions relating to, for example,sending information. In some scenarios, the information is at least onetoken bucket parameter that a base station uses to access an RF band. Insome scenarios, the information is a reservation signal. In someimplementations, the reservation signal is a CTS. In someimplementations, the circuit/module for sending 1622 is or includes atransmitter. In some implementations, the communication interface 1602includes the circuit/module for sending 1628 and/or the code for sending1644.

In some aspects, the circuit/module for sending 1628 sends thereservation signal if the token bucket contains a token. In someimplementations, the circuit/module for sending 1628 receives anindication that the token bucket contains a token (e.g., the indicationis retrieved from the memory device 1608, received from thecircuit/module for determining whether a token bucket contains a token1626, or received from some other component). Upon receipt of thisindication, the circuit/module for sending 1628 may send a signal toreserve an RF band for communication. In this regard, the circuit/modulefor sending 1628 may perform operations similar to those described abovefor the circuit/module for reserving 1624.

In some aspects, the circuit/module for sending 1628 sends thereservation signal as a result of the receipt of another reservationsignal (e.g., from a base station). In some implementations, thecircuit/module for sending 1628 receives an indication that anotherreservation signal was received from a base station (e.g., theindication is retrieved from the memory device 1608, received from thecircuit/module for receiving 1632, or received from some othercomponent). Upon receipt of this indication, the circuit/module forsending 1628 may send a signal to reserve an RF band for communication(e.g., as discussed above).

The circuit/module for waiting 1630 may include circuitry and/orprogramming (e.g., code for waiting 1646 stored on the storage medium1604) adapted to perform several functions relating to, for example,waiting for arrival of another token if the token bucket does notcontain a token. In some implementations, the circuit/module for waiting1630 receives an indication that the token bucket does not contain atoken (e.g., from memory device 1608, the circuit/module for determiningwhether a token bucket contains a token 1626, or some other component).Upon receipt of that indication, the circuit/module for waiting 1630 mayinvoke a delay for a period of time (e.g., until the next token arrivaltime). Following this delay, the circuit/module for waiting 1630 mayinitiate another check of the token bucket (e.g., by the circuit/modulefor determining whether a token bucket contains a token 1626).

The circuit/module for receiving 1632 may include circuitry and/orprogramming (e.g., code for receiving 1648 stored on the storage medium1604) adapted to perform several functions relating to, for example,receiving a reservation signal on the second RF band using the secondtype of RAT. In some aspects, this determination may include monitoringthe second RF band using a second type of RAT (e.g., a Wi-Fi RAT). Insome implementations, the circuit/module for receiving 1632 performsWi-Fi-related operations (e.g., decoding Wi-Fi signals) to receive areservation signal. In some implementations, the circuit/module forreceiving 1632 performs CTS-related operations (e.g., detecting CTSsignals) to receive a reservation signal. In some implementations, thecircuit/module for receiving 1632 is or includes a receiver. In someimplementations, the communication interface 1602 includes thecircuit/module for receiving 1632 and/or the code for receiving 1648.

The circuit/module for determining at least one parameter 1634 mayinclude circuitry and/or programming (e.g., code for determining atleast one parameter 1650 stored on the storage medium 1604) adapted toperform several functions relating to, for example, determining at leastone parameter for a token bucket. In some aspects, the at least oneparameter may be a token arrival time. In some aspects, thedetermination of the at least one parameter is based on a rate oftraffic communicated using a first type of RAT and/or a rate of trafficcommunicated using a second type of RAT. In some implementations, thecircuit/module for determining at least one parameter 1634 determines atoken arrival rate based on a traffic rate. As one example, the tokenarrival rate may be defined as X (e.g., 1.1) times the traffic rate. Thetoken arrival rate may be defined in other ways in otherimplementations. The circuit/module for determining at least oneparameter 1634 may then determine a token arrival time (e.g., aparticular time slot) based on the token arrival rate and, optionally,other information (e.g., a 5G communication schedule).

In some implementations, the circuit/module for determining at least oneparameter 1634 determines the traffic rate. For example, thecircuit/module for determining at least one parameter 1634 may obtaininformation about traffic on a medium and calculate a traffic rate basedon that information. This information may be obtained, for example, bydirectly monitoring the medium (e.g., via a receiver using the necessaryRAT) or by receiving the information from another component (e.g., areceiver or the memory device 1608).

As mentioned above, programming stored by the storage medium 1604, whenexecuted by the processor 1610, causes the processor 1610 to perform oneor more of the various functions and/or process operations describedherein. For example, the storage medium 1604 may include one or more ofthe code for communicating 1636, the code for determining whether an RFband is available 1638, the code for reserving 1640, the code fordetermining whether a token bucket contains a token 1642, the code forsending 1644, the code for waiting 1646, the code for receiving 1648, orthe code for determining at least one parameter 1650.

First Example Process

FIG. 17 illustrates a process 1700 for communication in accordance withsome aspects of the disclosure. The process 1700 may take place within aprocessing circuit (e.g., the processor 1610 of FIG. 16), which may belocated in a base station, an access terminal, or some other suitableapparatus. In some implementations, the process 1700 representsoperations performed, at least in part, by the base station 102 of FIG.1, the base station 201 of FIG. 2, or the wireless communication device302 of FIG. 3. Of course, in various aspects within the scope of thedisclosure, the process 1700 may be implemented by any suitableapparatus capable of supporting communication-related operations astaught herein.

At block 1702, an apparatus (e.g., a base station) communicates on afirst radio frequency (RF) band. In some aspects, this communication mayuse a first type of radio access technology (RAT). In some aspects, thefirst type of RAT may be 5^(th) Generation Mobile Telecommunicationstechnology. For example, a base station may use 5G technology tocommunicate with a UE on the first RF band. In some aspects, thiscommunication may involve the base station sending to a UE, via PDCCH,at least one parameter for a token bucket that the base station uses toaccess a second RF band. The at least one parameter may include, forexample, the token fill rate and/or the maximum number of tokens for thetoken bucket.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for communicating 1620 ofFIG. 16 performs the operations of block 1702. In some implementations,the code for communicating 1636 of FIG. 16 is executed to perform theoperations of block 1702.

At block 1704, the apparatus determines, at a time based on a tokenarrival time, whether a second RF band is available for communication.In some aspects, this determination may involve monitoring the second RFband using a second type of RAT. In some aspects, the second type of RATmay be wireless local area network (WLAN) technology. For example, abase station may use Wi-Fi technology to monitor the second RF band.

In the event the second RF band is not currently available forcommunication, the apparatus may continue determining (e.g., repeatedlydetermine) whether the second RF band is available for communication. Insome aspects, the determination of whether the second RF band isavailable for communication is performed for up to a defined number ofsub-frames of the access block. In some aspects, the determination ofwhether the second RF band is available for communication is performedfor up to a defined amount of time.

In some scenarios, but not necessarily all scenarios, the second RF bandmay be conventionally used for communication by devices using one typeof RAT (e.g., Wi-Fi technology) while the first RF band may beconventionally used by devices for communication using another type ofRAT (e.g., 5G technology).

The first and second RF bands might or might not overlap. In somescenarios, the second RF band does not overlap with the first RF band.In some scenarios, the second RF band partially overlaps with the firstRF band. In some scenarios, the second RF band is entirely within thefirst RF band. In some scenarios, the first RF band is entirely withinthe second RF band.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for determining whether anRF band is available 1622 of FIG. 16 performs the operations of block1704. In some implementations, the code for determining whether an RFband is available 1638 of FIG. 16 is executed to perform the operationsof block 1704.

At block 1706, the apparatus reserves the second RF band forcommunication of an access block if the determination of block 1704indicates that the second RF band is available. In some aspects, thisreservation may involve sending a first reservation signal using thesecond type of RAT. In some aspects, the first reservation signal may bea clear-to-send (CTS). In some aspects, the CTS includes an indicationthat the CTS is associated with the first type of RAT. For example, theCTS may include a 5G address.

The apparatus may send the reservation signal at different times indifferent implementations. In some aspects, the first reservation signalmay precede the access block. In some aspects, the first reservationsignal may be within the access block.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for reserving 1624 of FIG.16 performs the operations of block 1706. In some implementations, thecode for reserving 1640 of FIG. 16 is executed to perform the operationsof block 1706. In some implementations, a single component (e.g., acircuit/module or code) may perform the operations of blocks 1704 and1706.

At block 1708, as a result of the reservation, the apparatuscommunicates on the second RF band during the access block using thefirst type of RAT. In some aspects, the communicating on the second RFband during the access block includes commencing the communicating onthe second RF band by sending a downlink signal. For example, a basestation may transmit a downlink signal during the first portion of thefirst sub-frame of a sub-frame sequence (e.g., for a DL-centricsub-frame or an UL-centric sub-frame).

In some implementations, the circuit/module for communicating 1620 ofFIG. 16 performs the operations of block 1708. In some implementations,the code for communicating 1636 of FIG. 16 is executed to perform theoperations of block 1708.

Second Example Process

FIG. 18 illustrates a process 1800 for communication in accordance withsome aspects of the disclosure. In some implementations, the process1800 may be performed in addition to (e.g., in conjunction with) theprocess 1700 of FIG. 17. The process 1800 may take place within aprocessing circuit (e.g., the processor 1610 of FIG. 16), which may belocated in a base station, an access terminal, or some other suitableapparatus. In some implementations, the process 1800 representsoperations performed, at least in part, by the base station 102 of FIG.1, the base station 201 of FIG. 2, or the wireless communication device302 of FIG. 3. Of course, in various aspects within the scope of thedisclosure, the process 1800 may be implemented by any suitableapparatus capable of supporting communication-related operations astaught herein.

At block 1802, an apparatus (e.g., a base station) determines whether atoken bucket contains a token after completion of communication duringthe access block. For example, a base station may invoke thisdetermination if, upon completion of the access block, the base stationhas more data to send or expects to receive more data (e.g., from a UE).

In some implementations, the circuit/module for determining whether atoken bucket contains a token 1626 of FIG. 16 performs the operations ofblock 1802. In some implementations, the code for determining whether atoken bucket contains a token 1642 of FIG. 16 is executed to perform theoperations of block 1802.

At block 1804, the apparatus sends another reservation signal if thetoken bucket contains a token. For example, a base station may send aCTS to immediately contend to access a medium as discussed above inconjunction with the timing diagram 404 of FIG. 4.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for sending 1628, thecircuit/module for reserving 1624, or the circuit/module forcommunicating 1620 of FIG. 16 performs the operations of block 1804. Insome implementations, the code for sending 1644, the code for reserving1640, or the code for communicating 1636 of FIG. 16 is executed toperform the operations of block 1804.

Third Example Process

FIG. 19 illustrates a process 1900 for communication in accordance withsome aspects of the disclosure. In some implementations, the process1900 may be performed in addition to (e.g., in conjunction with) theprocess 1700 of FIG. 17. The process 1900 may take place within aprocessing circuit (e.g., the processor 1610 of FIG. 16), which may belocated in a base station, an access terminal, or some other suitableapparatus. In some implementations, the process 1900 representsoperations performed, at least in part, by the base station 102 of FIG.1, the base station 201 of FIG. 2, or the wireless communication device302 of FIG. 3. Of course, in various aspects within the scope of thedisclosure, the process 1900 may be implemented by any suitableapparatus capable of supporting communication-related operations astaught herein.

At block 1902, an apparatus (e.g., a base station) determines whether atoken bucket contains a token after completion of communication duringthe access block. For example, a base station may invoke thisdetermination if, upon completion of the access block, the base stationhas more data to send or expects to receive more data (e.g., from a UE).

In some implementations, the circuit/module for determining whether atoken bucket contains a token 1626 of FIG. 16 performs the operations ofblock 1902. In some implementations, the code for determining whether atoken bucket contains a token 1642 of FIG. 16 is executed to perform theoperations of block 1902.

At block 1904, the apparatus waits for arrival of another token if thetoken bucket does not contain a token. For example, a base station maywait for a token arrival time to access a medium as discussed above inconjunction with the timing diagram 402 of FIG. 4.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for waiting 1630 of FIG. 16performs the operations of block 1904. In some implementations, the codefor waiting 1646 of FIG. 16 is executed to perform the operations ofblock 1904.

Fourth Example Process

FIG. 20 illustrates a process 2000 for communication in accordance withsome aspects of the disclosure. In some implementations, the process2000 may be performed in addition to (e.g., in conjunction with) theprocess 1700 of FIG. 17. The process 2000 may take place within aprocessing circuit (e.g., the processor 1610 of FIG. 16), which may belocated in a base station, an access terminal, or some other suitableapparatus. In some implementations, the process 2000 representsoperations performed, at least in part, by the base station 102 of FIG.1, the base station 201 of FIG. 2, or the wireless communication device302 of FIG. 3. Of course, in various aspects within the scope of thedisclosure, the process 2000 may be implemented by any suitableapparatus capable of supporting communication-related operations astaught herein.

At block 2002, an apparatus (e.g., a base station) receives a secondreservation signal on the second RF band using the second type of RAT.For example, a first base station may receive a CTS that was transmittedby a second base station as discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 15.In some aspects, a first access block (e.g., associated with the firstreservation signal) overlaps another access block that is associatedwith the second reservation signal. For example, these access blockscould correspond to the access blocks 1510 and 1512 of FIG. 15.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for receiving 1632 or thecircuit/module for determining whether an RF band is available 1622 ofFIG. 16 performs the operations of block 2002. In some implementations,the code for receiving 1648 or the code for determining whether an RFband is available 1638 of FIG. 16 is executed to perform the operationsof block 2002.

At block 2004, the apparatus sends the first reservation signal as aresult of the receipt of the second reservation signal. For example, thefirst base station mentioned above may transmit a CTS in response to thereceipt of the CTS from the second base station as discussed above inconjunction with FIG. 15.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for reserving 1624 or thecircuit/module for sending 1628 of FIG. 16 performs the operations ofblock 2004. In some implementations, the code for reserving 1640 or thecode for sending 1644 of FIG. 16 is executed to perform the operationsof block 2004.

Fifth Example Process

FIG. 21 illustrates a process 2100 for communication in accordance withsome aspects of the disclosure. In some implementations, the process2100 may be performed in addition to (e.g., in conjunction with) theprocess 1700 of FIG. 17. The process 2100 may take place within aprocessing circuit (e.g., the processor 1610 of FIG. 16), which may belocated in a base station, an access terminal, or some other suitableapparatus. In some implementations, the process 2100 representsoperations performed, at least in part, by the base station 102 of FIG.1, the base station 201 of FIG. 2, or the wireless communication device302 of FIG. 3. Of course, in various aspects within the scope of thedisclosure, the process 2100 may be implemented by any suitableapparatus capable of supporting communication-related operations astaught herein.

At block 2102, an apparatus (e.g., a base station) determines a rate oftraffic communicated using the first type of RAT and/or determines arate of traffic communicated using the second type of RAT. For example,a base station may monitor this traffic and thereby measure thecorresponding traffic rate. As another example, a base station mayreceive an indication of this rate from at least one other entity (e.g.,at least one network entity and/or at least one other base station).

In some implementations, the circuit/module for determining at least oneparameter 1634, the circuit/module for communicating 1620, or thecircuit/module for determining whether an RF band is available 1622 ofFIG. 16 performs the operations of block 2102. In some implementations,the code for determining at least one parameter 1650, the code forcommunicating 1636, or the code for determining whether an RF band isavailable 1638 of FIG. 16 is executed to perform the operations of block2102.

At block 2104, the apparatus determines at least one parameter for atoken bucket, wherein the determination of the at least one parameter isbased on the rate of traffic communicated using the first type of RATand/or the rate of traffic communicated using the second type of RATdetermined at block 2102. For example, the token arrival rate may be setto be at least 10% higher than a traffic arrival rate.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for determining at least oneparameter 1634 of FIG. 16 performs the operations of block 2104. In someimplementations, the code for determining at least one parameter 1650 ofFIG. 16 is executed to perform the operations of block 2104.

At block 2106, the apparatus sends the at least one parameter for atoken bucket that was determined at block 2104 (or determined in someother manner). For example, a base station may send an indication of thetoken arrival rate to a UE via a control channel (e.g., PDCCH).Accordingly, token bucket operations of the UE can be synchronized withtoken bucket operations of the base station.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for sending 1628 or thecircuit/module for communicating 1620 of FIG. 16 performs the operationsof block 2106. In some implementations, the code for sending 1644 or thecode for communicating 1636 of FIG. 16 is executed to perform theoperations of block 2106.

Second Example Apparatus

FIG. 22 is an illustration of an apparatus 2200 that may supportscheduling according to one or more aspects of the disclosure. Theapparatus 2200 could embody or be implemented within an access terminal(e.g., a user equipment), a base station, or some other type of devicethat supports wireless communication. In various implementations, theapparatus 2200 could embody or be implemented within a mobile device, anaccess point, or some other type of device. In various implementations,the apparatus 2200 could embody or be implemented within a mobile phone,a smart phone, a tablet, a portable computer, a server, a personalcomputer, a sensor, an entertainment device, a medical device, or anyother electronic device having circuitry.

The apparatus 2200 includes a communication interface (e.g., at leastone transceiver) 2202, a storage medium 2204, a user interface 2206, amemory device 2208 (e.g., storing schedule-related information 2218),and a processor 2210 (e.g., a processing circuit). In variousimplementations, the user interface 2206 may include one or more of: akeypad, a display, a speaker, a microphone, a touchscreen display, ofsome other circuitry for receiving an input from or sending an output toa user. The communication interface 2202 may be coupled to one or moreantennas 2212, and may include a transmitter 2214 and a receiver 2216.In general, the components of FIG. 22 may be similar to correspondingcomponents of the apparatus 1600 of FIG. 16.

According to one or more aspects of the disclosure, the processor 2210may be adapted to perform any or all of the features, processes,functions, operations and/or routines for any or all of the apparatusesdescribed herein. For example, the processor 2210 may be configured toperform any of the steps, functions, and/or processes described withrespect to FIGS. 1-15 and 23-28. As used herein, the term “adapted” inrelation to the processor 2210 may refer to the processor 2210 being oneor more of configured, used, implemented, and/or programmed to perform aparticular process, function, operation and/or routine according tovarious features described herein.

The processor 2210 may be a specialized processor, such as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that serves as a meansfor (e.g., structure for) carrying out any one of the operationsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-15 and 23-28. The processor 2210may serve as one example of a means for transmitting and/or a means forreceiving. In various implementations, the processing 2210 mayincorporate the functionality of the UE 104 of FIG. 1, the wirelesscommunication node 216, 222, or 230 of FIG. 2, or the IoE device 236 or242 of FIG. 2.

According to at least one example of the apparatus 2200, the processor2210 may include one or more of a circuit/module for communicating 2220,a circuit/module for receiving 2222, a circuit/module for monitoring2224, a circuit/module for determining whether a token bucket contains atoken 2226, a circuit/module for waiting 2228, a circuit/module fordetermining whether an RF band is available 2230, a circuit/module fordetermining whether to communicate 2232, or a circuit/module fordetermining a token arrival time 2234. In various implementations, thecircuit/module for communicating 2220, the circuit/module for receiving2222, the circuit/module for monitoring 2224, the circuit/module fordetermining whether a token bucket contains a token 2226, thecircuit/module for waiting 2228, the circuit/module for determiningwhether an RF band is available 2230, the circuit/module for determiningwhether to communicate 2232, or the circuit/module for determining atoken arrival time 2234 may correspond, at least in part, to the UE 104of FIG. 1, the wireless communication node 216, 222, or 230 of FIG. 2,or the IoE device 236 or 242 of FIG. 2.

The circuit/module for communicating 2220 may include circuitry and/orprogramming (e.g., code for communicating 2236 stored on the storagemedium 2204) adapted to perform several functions relating to, forexample, communicating on a first RF band. In some aspects, thecircuit/module for communicating 2220 may use a first type of RAT (e.g.,a 5G RAT) for communicating (e.g., sending and/or receiving)information. In some aspects, the circuit/module for communicating 2220may communicate on a second RF band during an access block using thefirst type of RAT if a signal is detected on the second RF band. In someimplementations, the circuit/module for communicating 2220 is atransceiver. In some implementations, the communication interface 2202includes the circuit/module for communicating 2220 and/or the code forcommunicating 2236.

In implementations where the communicating involves receivinginformation, the circuit/module for communicating 2220 receivesinformation (e.g., from the communication interface 2202 or some othercomponent of the apparatus 2200), processes (e.g., decodes) theinformation, and sends the information to another component of theapparatus 2200 (e.g., the memory device 2208 or some other component).In some scenarios (e.g., if the circuit/module for communicating 2220includes a receiver), the communicating involves the circuit/module forcommunicating 2220 receiving information directly from a device thattransmitted the information.

In implementations where the communicating involves sending information,the circuit/module for communicating 2220 receives information (e.g.,from a component of the apparatus 2200), processes (e.g., encodes) theinformation, and sends the information to another component (e.g., thecommunication interface 2202) that will transmit the information. Insome scenarios (e.g., if the circuit/module for communicating 2220includes a transmitter), the communicating involves the circuit/modulefor communicating 2220 transmitting the information directly to anotherdevice (e.g., the ultimate destination).

The circuit/module for receiving 2222 may include circuitry and/orprogramming (e.g., code for receiving 2238 stored on the storage medium2204) adapted to perform several functions relating to, for example,receiving information. In some aspects, the information includes acommunication schedule and token bucket information. In some aspects,the information includes at least one parameter for a token bucket thata base station uses to access the second RF band. In some aspects, theinformation may be received via a DL control channel. The at least oneparameter may include, for example, the token fill rate and/or themaximum number of tokens for the token bucket. In some aspects, themonitoring may involve use of the first type of RAT (e.g., a 5G RAT) orsome other type of RAT. In some implementations, the circuit/module forreceiving 2222 is or includes a receiver. In some implementations, thecommunication interface 2202 includes the circuit/module for receiving2222 and/or the code for receiving 2238. In some implementations, thecircuit/module for communicating 2220 provides the functionality of thecircuit/module for receiving 2222. In some implementations, the code forcommunicating 2236 provides the functionality of the code for receiving2238.

The circuit/module for monitoring 2224 may include circuitry and/orprogramming (e.g., code for monitoring 2240 stored on the storage medium2204) adapted to perform several functions relating to, for example,monitoring, at a time based on token bucket information, for a signal ona second RF band. In some aspects, the monitoring may involve use of thefirst type of RAT (e.g., a 5G RAT). In some implementations, thecircuit/module for monitoring 2224 may invoke monitoring for anothersignal if the token bucket contains a token. In some implementations,the circuit/module for monitoring 2224 may invoke the monitoring at atime associated with arrival of a token for the token bucket. In eithercase, the circuit/module for monitoring 2224 may monitor for asynchronization signal from a base station. In some implementations, thecircuit/module for monitoring 2224 senses energy on a medium andcompares the sensed energy to a threshold to determine whether a signalhas been received. In some implementations, the circuit/module formonitoring 2224 is or includes a receiver. In some implementations, thecommunication interface 2202 includes the circuit/module for monitoring2224 and/or the code for monitoring 2240. In some implementations, thecircuit/module for communicating 2220 provides the functionality of thecircuit/module for monitoring 2224. In some implementations, the codefor communicating 2236 provides the functionality of the code formonitoring 2240.

The circuit/module for determining whether a token bucket contains atoken 2226 may include circuitry and/or programming (e.g., code fordetermining whether a token bucket contains a token 2242 stored on thestorage medium 2204) adapted to perform several functions relating to,for example, determining whether a token bucket contains a token aftercompletion of communication during an access block. In someimplementations, the circuit/module for determining whether a tokenbucket contains a token 2226 determines that an access block hascompleted (e.g., according to a 5G schedule for an RF band commonly usedby Wi-Fi devices), then reads a value from a memory locationcorresponding to the token bucket, and then determines whether the valueis non-zero.

The circuit/module for waiting 2228 may include circuitry and/orprogramming (e.g., code for waiting 2244 stored on the storage medium2204) adapted to perform several functions relating to, for example,waiting for arrival of another token if the token bucket does notcontain a token. In some implementations, the circuit/module for waiting2228 receives an indication that the token bucket does not contain atoken (e.g., from memory device 2208, the circuit/module for determiningwhether a token bucket contains a token 2226, or some other component).Upon receipt of this indication, the circuit/module for waiting 2228 mayinvoke a delay for a period of time (e.g., until the next token arrivaltime). Following this delay, the circuit/module for waiting 2228 mayinitiate another check of the token bucket (e.g., by the circuit/modulefor determining whether a token bucket contains a token 2226).

The circuit/module for determining whether an RF band is available 2230may include circuitry and/or programming (e.g., code for determiningwhether an RF band is available 2246 stored on the storage medium 2204)adapted to perform several functions relating to, for example,determining whether a second RF band is available for communication. Insome aspects, this determination may include monitoring the second RFband using a second type of RAT (e.g., a Wi-Fi RAT). In someimplementations, the circuit/module for determining whether an RF bandis available 2230 performs CCA-related operations (e.g., as taughtherein) to determine whether an RF band is available. In someimplementations, the circuit/module for determining whether an RF bandis available 2230 performs Wi-Fi-related operations (e.g., decodingWi-Fi signals) to determine whether an RF band is available. In someimplementations, the circuit/module for determining whether an RF bandis available 2230 performs CTS-related operations (e.g., detecting CTSsignals) to determine whether an RF band is available. In someimplementations, the circuit/module for determining whether an RF bandis available 2230 senses energy on a medium and compares the sensedenergy to a threshold to determine whether an RF band is available. Insome implementations, the circuit/module for determining whether an RFband is available 2230 is or includes a receiver. In someimplementations, the communication interface 2202 includes thecircuit/module for determining whether an RF band is available 2230and/or the code for determining whether an RF band is available 2246.

The circuit/module for determining whether to communicate 2232 mayinclude circuitry and/or programming (e.g., code for determining whetherto communicate 2248 stored on the storage medium 2204) adapted toperform several functions relating to, for example, determining whetherto communicate on the second RF band during an access block. In someaspects, the circuit/module for determining whether to communicate 2232may make this determination based on whether the second RF band isavailable for communication. In some implementations, the circuit/modulefor determining whether to communicate 2232 receives an indication ofwhether the second RF band is available (e.g., retrieved from the memorydevice 2208, received from the circuit/module for determining whether anRF band is available 2230, or received from some other component). Ifthe second RF band is available, the circuit/module for determiningwhether to communicate 2232 may then commence communication on thesecond RF band (e.g., if a synchronization signal is received). In someimplementations, the circuit/module for determining whether tocommunicate 2232 may reserve the medium (e.g., by sending a CTS).

The circuit/module for determining a token arrival time 2234 may includecircuitry and/or programming (e.g., code for determining a token arrivaltime 2250 stored on the storage medium 2204) adapted to perform severalfunctions relating to, for example, determining a token arrival timebased on at least one token bucket parameter. In some aspects, thecircuit/module for determining a token arrival time 2234 identifies aparticular time slot in which the next token will arrive based on thetoken arrival rate and, optionally, other information (e.g., a 5Gcommunication schedule).

As mentioned above, programming stored by the storage medium 2204, whenexecuted by the processor 2210, causes the processor 2210 to perform oneor more of the various functions and/or process operations describedherein. For example, the storage medium 2204 may include one or more ofthe code for communicating 2236, the code for receiving 2238, the codefor monitoring 2240, the code for determining whether a token bucketcontains a token 2242, the code for waiting 2244, the code fordetermining whether an RF band is available 2246, the code fordetermining whether to communicate 2248, or the code for determining atoken arrival time 2250.

Sixth Example Process

FIG. 23 illustrates a process 2300 for communication in accordance withsome aspects of the disclosure. The process 2300 may take place within aprocessing circuit (e.g., the processor 2210 of FIG. 22), which may belocated in an access terminal (e.g., a UE), a base station, or someother suitable apparatus. In some implementations, the process 2300represents operations performed, at least in part, by the UE 104 of FIG.1, the wireless communication node 216, 222, or 230 of FIG. 2, or theIoE device 236 or 242 of FIG. 2. Of course, in various aspects withinthe scope of the disclosure, the process 2300 may be implemented by anysuitable apparatus capable of supporting scheduling-related operations.

At block 2302, an apparatus (e.g., a UE) communicates on a first radiofrequency (RF) band. In some aspects, the communication may use a firsttype of radio access technology (RAT). In some aspects, the first typeof RAT may be 5^(th) Generation Mobile Telecommunications technology.For example, a UE may use 5G technology to communicate with a basestation on the first RF band.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for communicating 2220 ofFIG. 22 performs the operations of block 2302. In some implementations,the code for communicating 2236 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform theoperations of block 2302.

At block 2304, the apparatus receives a communication schedule and tokenbucket information. For example, a UE may receive this information froma serving base station via PDCCH. In some aspects, the communicationschedule may be associated with a token bucket as discussed herein. Forexample, a UE may use a token bucket and designated token arrival timesto control when the UE wakes to communicate during the access block. Insome aspects, the received token bucket information may include at leastone parameter for a token bucket that a base station uses to access asecond RF band. The at least one parameter may include, for example, thetoken fill rate and/or the maximum number of tokens for the tokenbucket.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for receiving 2222 or thecircuit/module for communicating 2220 of FIG. 22 performs the operationsof block 2304. In some implementations, the code for receiving 2238 orthe code for communicating 2236 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform theoperations of block 2304.

At block 2306, the apparatus monitors, at a time based on the tokenbucket information (e.g., based on a token arrival time), for a signalon a second RF band. For example, a UE may wake up to monitor for adesignated synchronization sequence on the second RF band, where thesynchronization sequence indicates that communication will follow duringthe access block.

The signal may take different forms in different implementations. Insome aspects, the signal may be or include a synchronization signal(e.g., sequence). In some aspects, the signal may be or include aclear-to-send (CTS). In some aspects, the signal may include anindication that the signal is associated with the first type of RAT. Forexample, the CTS may include a 5G address.

In the event the signal on the second RF band is not detected, theapparatus may continue monitoring (e.g., repeatedly monitor) the secondRF band. In some aspects, the monitoring is performed for up to adefined number of sub-frames of the access block. In some aspects, themonitoring is performed for up to a defined amount of time.

In some scenarios, but not necessarily all scenarios, the second RF bandmay be conventionally used for communication by devices using one typeof RAT (e.g., Wi-Fi technology) while the first RF band may beconventionally used by devices for communication using another type ofRAT (e.g., 5G technology).

The first and second RF bands might or might not overlap. In somescenarios, the second RF band does not overlap with the first RF band.In some scenarios, the second RF band partially overlaps with the firstRF band. In some scenarios, the second RF band is entirely within thefirst RF band. In some scenarios, the first RF band is entirely withinthe second RF band.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for monitoring 2224 of FIG.22 performs the operations of block 2306. In some implementations, thecode for monitoring 2240 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform theoperations of block 2306.

At block 2308, the apparatus communicates on the second RF band duringthe access block according to the communication schedule if the signalis detected by the monitoring of block 2306. Here, the communication onthe second RF band may use the first type of RAT. For example, a UE mayuse 5G technology to communicate on the second RF band during the accessblock. In some aspects, the communicating on the second RF band duringthe access block includes commencing the communicating on the second RFband in response to receipt of a downlink signal on the second RF bandusing the first type of RAT.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for communicating 2220 ofFIG. 22 performs the operations of block 2302. In some implementations,the code for communicating 2236 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform theoperations of block 2302.

Seventh Example Process

FIG. 24 illustrates a process 2400 for communication in accordance withsome aspects of the disclosure. In some implementations, the process2400 may be performed in addition to (e.g., in conjunction with) theprocess 2300 of FIG. 23. The process 2400 may take place within aprocessing circuit (e.g., the processor 2210 of FIG. 22), which may belocated in an access terminal (e.g., a UE), a base station, or someother suitable apparatus. In some implementations, the process 2400represents operations performed, at least in part, by the UE 104 of FIG.1, the wireless communication node 216, 222, or 230 of FIG. 2, or theIoE device 236 or 242 of FIG. 2. Of course, in various aspects withinthe scope of the disclosure, the process 2400 may be implemented by anysuitable apparatus capable of supporting scheduling-related operations.

At block 2402, an apparatus (e.g., a UE) determines whether a tokenbucket contains a token after completion of communication during theaccess block. For example, a UE may invoke this determination if, uponcompletion of the access block, the UE has more data to send or expectsto receive more data (e.g., from a base station).

In some implementations, the circuit/module for determining whether atoken bucket contains a token 2226 of FIG. 22 performs the operations ofblock 2402. In some implementations, the code for determining whether atoken bucket contains a token 2242 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform theoperations of block 2402.

At block 2404, the apparatus monitors for another signal if the tokenbucket contains a token. For example, a UE may immediately monitor for aCTS from a serving base station to determine whether the base station isimmediately contending to access a medium as discussed above inconjunction with the timing diagram 404 of FIG. 4.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for monitoring 2224 of FIG.22 performs the operations of block 2404. In some implementations, thecode for monitoring 2240 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform theoperations of block 2404.

Eighth Example Process

FIG. 25 illustrates a process 2500 for communication in accordance withsome aspects of the disclosure. In some implementations, the process2500 may be performed in addition to (e.g., in conjunction with) theprocess 2300 of FIG. 23. The process 2500 may take place within aprocessing circuit (e.g., the processor 2210 of FIG. 22), which may belocated in an access terminal (e.g., a UE), a base station, or someother suitable apparatus. In some implementations, the process 2500represents operations performed, at least in part, by the UE 104 of FIG.1, the wireless communication node 216, 222, or 230 of FIG. 2, or theIoE device 236 or 242 of FIG. 2. Of course, in various aspects withinthe scope of the disclosure, the process 2500 may be implemented by anysuitable apparatus capable of supporting scheduling-related operations.

At block 2502, an apparatus (e.g., a UE) determines whether a tokenbucket contains a token after completion of communication during theaccess block. For example, a UE may invoke this determination if, uponcompletion of the access block, the UE has more data to send or expectsto receive more data (e.g., from a base station).

In some implementations, the circuit/module for determining whether atoken bucket contains a token 2226 of FIG. 22 performs the operations ofblock 2502. In some implementations, the code for determining whether atoken bucket contains a token 2242 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform theoperations of block 2502.

At block 2504, the apparatus waits for arrival of another token if thetoken bucket does not contain a token. For example, a UE may wait for atoken arrival time to access a medium as discussed above in conjunctionwith the timing diagram 402 of FIG. 4.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for waiting 2228 of FIG. 22performs the operations of block 2504. In some implementations, the codefor waiting 2244 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform the operations ofblock 2504.

Ninth Example Process

FIG. 26 illustrates a process 2600 for communication in accordance withsome aspects of the disclosure. In some implementations, the process2600 may be performed in addition to (e.g., in conjunction with) theprocess 2300 of FIG. 23. The process 2600 may take place within aprocessing circuit (e.g., the processor 2210 of FIG. 22), which may belocated in an access terminal (e.g., a UE), a base station, or someother suitable apparatus. In some implementations, the process 2600represents operations performed, at least in part, by the UE 104 of FIG.1, the wireless communication node 216, 222, or 230 of FIG. 2, or theIoE device 236 or 242 of FIG. 2. Of course, in various aspects withinthe scope of the disclosure, the process 2600 may be implemented by anysuitable apparatus capable of supporting scheduling-related operations.

At block 2602, an apparatus (e.g., a UE) determines whether the secondRF band is available for communication. In some aspects, thisdetermination may include monitoring the second RF band using a secondtype of RAT. For example, a UE may sense energy on the second RF bandand/or attempt to decode any Wi-Fi signals on the second RF band.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for determining whether anRF band is available 2230 or the circuit/module for monitoring 2224 ofFIG. 22 performs the operations of block 2602. In some implementations,the code for determining whether an RF band is available 2246 or thecode for monitoring 2240 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform theoperations of block 2602.

At block 2604, the apparatus determines whether to communicate on thesecond RF band during the access block based on the determination ofblock 2602. For example, a UE may elect to commence 5G communicationduring the access block if the interference on the second RF band isbelow a threshold interference level.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for determining whether tocommunicate 2232 of FIG. 22 performs the operations of block 2604. Insome implementations, the code for determining whether to communicate2248 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform the operations of block 2604.

Tenth Example Process

FIG. 27 illustrates a process 2700 for communication in accordance withsome aspects of the disclosure. In some implementations, the process2700 may be performed in addition to (e.g., in conjunction with) theprocess 2300 of FIG. 23. The process 2700 may take place within aprocessing circuit (e.g., the processor 2210 of FIG. 22), which may belocated in an access terminal (e.g., a UE), a base station, or someother suitable apparatus. In some implementations, the process 2700represents operations performed, at least in part, by the UE 104 of FIG.1, the wireless communication node 216, 222, or 230 of FIG. 2, or theIoE device 236 or 242 of FIG. 2. Of course, in various aspects withinthe scope of the disclosure, the process 2700 may be implemented by anysuitable apparatus capable of supporting scheduling-related operations.

At block 2702, an apparatus (e.g., a UE) receives at least one tokenbucket parameter that a base station uses to access the second RF band.For example, a UE may receive from a base station indications of thetoken fill rate and/or the maximum number of tokens the base stationuses for its token bucket. In some implementations this information isreceived via a control channel (e.g., via a PDCCH).

In some implementations, the circuit/module for receiving 2222 or thecircuit/module for communicating 2220 of FIG. 22 performs the operationsof block 2702. In some implementations, the code for receiving 2238 orthe code for communicating 2236 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform theoperations of block 2702.

At block 2704, the apparatus determines the token arrival time based onthe at least one token bucket parameter. For example, a UE may determinethe token arrival time based on the timing of a scheduled access blockand the token fill rate. Accordingly, token bucket operations of the UEcan be synchronized with token bucket operations of a serving basestation.

In some implementations, the circuit/module for determining a tokenarrival time 2234 of FIG. 22 performs the operations of block 2704. Insome implementations, the code for determining a token arrival time 2250of FIG. 22 is executed to perform the operations of block 2704.

Eleventh Example Process

FIG. 28 illustrates a process 2800 for communication in accordance withsome aspects of the disclosure. The process 2800 may take place within aprocessing circuit (e.g., the processor 2210 of FIG. 22), which may belocated in an access terminal (e.g., a user equipment), a base station,or some other suitable apparatus. In some implementations, the process2800 represents operations performed, at least in part, by the UE 104 ofFIG. 1, the wireless communication node 216, 222, or 230 of FIG. 2, orthe IoE device 236 or 242 of FIG. 2. Of course, in various aspectswithin the scope of the disclosure, the process 2800 may be implementedby any suitable apparatus capable of supporting scheduling-relatedoperations.

At block 2802, an apparatus (e.g., a user equipment) communicates on afirst radio frequency (RF) band, wherein the communication uses a firsttype of radio access technology (RAT). In some implementations, thecircuit/module for communicating 2220 of FIG. 22 performs the operationsof block 2802. In some implementations, the code for communicating 2236of FIG. 22 is executed to perform the operations of block 2802.

At block 2804, the apparatus receives a communication schedule for anaccess block on a second RF band. In some aspects, the communicationschedule may be associated with a token bucket as discussed herein. Insome implementations, the circuit/module for receiving 2222 of FIG. 22performs the operations of block 2804. In some implementations, the codefor receiving 2238 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform the operations ofblock 2804.

At block 2806, the apparatus monitors, at a time based on a tokenarrival time for the token bucket, for a reservation signal on thesecond RF band, wherein the monitoring uses a second type of RAT. Insome implementations, the circuit/module for monitoring 2224 of FIG. 22performs the operations of block 2806. In some implementations, the codefor monitoring 2240 of FIG. 22 is executed to perform the operations ofblock 2806.

At block 2808, the apparatus communicates on the second RF band duringthe access block using the first type of RAT if the reservation signalis detected by the monitoring. In some implementations, thecircuit/module for communicating 2220 of FIG. 22 performs the operationsof block 2808. In some implementations, the code for communicating 2236of FIG. 22 is executed to perform the operations of block 2808.

Example Network

FIG. 29 is a schematic illustration of a wireless communication network2900 including multiple communication entities as it may appear in someaspects of the disclosure. A wireless communication device of thenetwork 2900 may communicate using a first RF band 2902 and a second RFband 2904 in accordance with the teachings herein. As described herein,a wireless communication device (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3) mayreside in, or be a part of, a base station, a smart phone, a small cell,or other entity. Subordinate entities or mesh nodes may reside in, or bea part of, a smart alarm, a remote sensor, a smart phone, a telephone, asmart meter, a PDA, a personal computer, a mesh node, and/or a tabletcomputer. Of course, the illustrated devices or components are merelyexamples, and any suitable node or device may appear within a wirelesscommunication network within the scope of the present disclosure.

Additional Aspects

Of course, these examples are merely provided to illustrate certainconcepts of the disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art willcomprehend that these are merely exemplary in nature, and other examplesmay fall within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims.

As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, various aspectsdescribed throughout this disclosure may be extended to any suitabletelecommunication system, network architecture, and communicationstandard. By way of example, various aspects may be applied to UMTSsystems such as W-CDMA, TD-SCDMA, and TD-CDMA. Various aspects may alsobe applied to systems using Long Term Evolution (LTE) (in FDD, TDD, orboth modes), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) (in FDD, TDD, or both modes),CDMA2000, Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Ultra Mobile Broadband(UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20,Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth, and/or other suitable systems,including those described by yet-to-be defined wide area networkstandards. The actual telecommunication standard, network architecture,and/or communication standard used will depend on the specificapplication and the overall design constraints imposed on the system.

Within the present disclosure, the word “exemplary” is used to mean“serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementationor aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other aspects of thedisclosure. Likewise, the term “aspects” does not require that allaspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage ormode of operation. The term “coupled” is used herein to refer to thedirect or indirect coupling between two objects. For example, if objectA physically touches object B, and object B touches object C, thenobjects A and C may still be considered coupled to one another—even ifthey do not directly physically touch each other. For instance, a firstdie may be coupled to a second die in a package even though the firstdie is never directly physically in contact with the second die. Theterms “circuit” and “circuitry” are used broadly, and intended toinclude both hardware implementations of electrical devices andconductors that, when connected and configured, enable the performanceof the functions described in the present disclosure, without limitationas to the type of electronic circuits, as well as softwareimplementations of information and instructions that, when executed by aprocessor, enable the performance of the functions described in thepresent disclosure.

One or more of the components, steps, features and/or functionsillustrated in above may be rearranged and/or combined into a singlecomponent, step, feature or function or embodied in several components,steps, or functions. Additional elements, components, steps, and/orfunctions may also be added without departing from novel featuresdisclosed herein. The apparatus, devices, and/or components illustratedabove may be configured to perform one or more of the methods, features,or steps described herein. The novel algorithms described herein mayalso be efficiently implemented in software and/or embedded in hardware.

It is to be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps inthe methods disclosed is an illustration of exemplary processes. Basedupon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order orhierarchy of steps in the methods may be rearranged. The accompanyingmethod claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order,and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchypresented unless specifically recited therein.

As used herein, the term “determining” encompasses a wide variety ofactions. For example, “determining” may include calculating, computing,processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in atable, a database or another data structure), ascertaining, and thelike. Also, “determining” may include receiving (e.g., receivinginformation), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), and thelike. Also, “determining” may include resolving, selecting, choosing,establishing, and the like.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically statedotherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. A phrase referring to“at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of thoseitems, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b,or c” is intended to cover any of: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c;a, b and c; 2a; 2b; 2c; 2A and b; and so on. All structural andfunctional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects describedthroughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known tothose of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein byreference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover,nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the publicregardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in theclaims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35U.S.C. §112(f), unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase“means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recitedusing the phrase “step for.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of wireless communication, comprising:communicating on a first radio frequency (RF) band, wherein thecommunication on the first RF band uses a first type of radio accesstechnology (RAT); determining, at a time based on a token arrival time,whether a second RF band is available for communication, wherein thedetermination comprises monitoring the second RF band using a secondtype of RAT; reserving the second RF band for communication of an accessblock if the determination indicates that the second RF band isavailable, wherein the reservation comprises sending a first reservationsignal using the second type of RAT; and communicating on the second RFband during the access block using the first type of RAT as a result ofthe reservation.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first type ofRAT comprises 5th Generation Mobile Telecommunications technology; andthe second type of RAT comprises wireless local area network (WLAN)technology.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first reservationsignal comprises a clear-to-send (CTS).
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein the CTS includes an indication that the CTS is associated withthe first type of RAT.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstreservation signal precedes the access block.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the first reservation signal is within the access block.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the communicating on the second RF bandduring the access block comprises commencing the communicating on thesecond RF band by sending a downlink signal.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the determination of whether the second RF band is available forcommunication is performed for up to a defined number of sub-frames ofthe access block.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining whether a token bucket contains a token after completion ofthe communication on the second RF band during the access block.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising: sending another reservationsignal if the token bucket contains a token.
 11. The method of claim 9,further comprising: waiting for arrival of another token if the tokenbucket does not contain a token.
 12. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving a second reservation signal on the second RF bandusing the second type of RAT, wherein the first reservation signal issent as a result of the receipt of the second reservation signal. 13.The method of claim 12, wherein the access block overlaps another accessblock that is associated with the second reservation signal.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising determining at least one parameterfor a token bucket, wherein: the at least one parameter includes thetoken arrival time; and the determination of the at least one parameteris based on at least one of: a rate of traffic communicated using thefirst type of RAT, a rate of traffic communicated using the second typeof RAT, or any combination thereof.
 15. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: sending at least one parameter for a token bucket that abase station uses to access the second RF band.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein the at least one parameter comprises at least one of: atoken fill rate, a maximum number of tokens for a token bucket, or anycombination thereof.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second RFband does not overlap with the first RF band; the second RF bandpartially overlaps with the first RF band; the second RF band isentirely within the first RF band; or the first RF band is entirelywithin the second RF band.
 18. An apparatus for wireless communicationcomprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, theprocessor and the memory configured to: communicate on a first radiofrequency (RF) band, wherein the communication on the first RF band usesa first type of radio access technology (RAT); determine, at a timebased on a token arrival time, whether a second RF band is available forcommunication, wherein the determination comprises monitoring the secondRF band using a second type of RAT; reserve the second RF band forcommunication of an access block if the determination indicates that thesecond RF band is available, wherein the reservation comprises sending afirst reservation signal using the second type of RAT; and communicateon the second RF band during the access block using the first type ofRAT as a result of the reservation.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18,wherein the first reservation signal includes an indication that thefirst reservation signal is associated with the first type of RAT. 20.The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor and the memory arefurther configured to: determine whether a token bucket contains a tokenafter completion of the communication on the second RF band during theaccess block; and send another reservation signal if the token bucketcontains a token.
 21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processorand the memory are further configured to: determine whether a tokenbucket contains a token after completion of the communication on thesecond RF band during the access block; and wait for arrival of anothertoken if the token bucket does not contain a token.
 22. The apparatus ofclaim 18, wherein: the processor and the memory are further configuredto receive a second reservation signal on the second RF band using thesecond type of RAT; and the first reservation signal is sent as a resultof the receipt of the second reservation signal.
 23. An apparatus forwireless communication comprising: means for communicating on a firstradio frequency (RF) band, wherein the communication on the first RFband uses a first type of radio access technology (RAT); means fordetermining, at a time based on a token arrival time, whether a secondRF band is available for communication, wherein the determinationcomprises monitoring the second RF band using a second type of RAT; andmeans for reserving the second RF band for communication of an accessblock if the determination indicates that the second RF band isavailable, wherein the reservation comprises sending a first reservationsignal using the second type of RAT; wherein the means for communicatingis configured to communicate on the second RF band during the accessblock using the first type of RAT as a result of the reservation. 24.The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising: means for determiningwhether a token bucket contains a token after completion of thecommunication during the access block; and means for sending anotherreservation signal if the token bucket contains a token.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 23, further comprising: means for determining whethera token bucket contains a token after completion of the communicationduring the access block; and means for waiting for arrival of anothertoken if the token bucket does not contain a token.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 23, further comprising: means for receiving a second reservationsignal on the second RF band using the second type of RAT, wherein thefirst reservation signal is sent as a result of the receipt of thesecond reservation signal.
 27. The apparatus of claim 23, furthercomprising means for determining at least one parameter for a tokenbucket, wherein: the at least one parameter includes the token arrivaltime; and the determination of the at least one parameter is based on atleast one of: a rate of traffic communicated using the first type ofRAT, a rate of traffic communicated using the second type of RAT, or anycombination thereof.
 28. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumstoring computer-executable code for wireless communication includingcode to: communicate on a first radio frequency (RF) band, wherein thecommunication on the first RF band uses a first type of radio accesstechnology (RAT); determine, at a time based on a token arrival time,whether a second RF band is available for communication, wherein thedetermination comprises monitoring the second RF band using a secondtype of RAT; reserve the second RF band for communication of an accessblock if the determination indicates that the second RF band isavailable, wherein the reservation comprises sending a first reservationsignal using the second type of RAT; and communicate on the second RFband during the access block using the first type of RAT as a result ofthe reservation.
 29. A method of wireless communication, comprising:communicating on a first radio frequency (RF) band, wherein thecommunication on the first RF band uses a first type of radio accesstechnology (RAT); receiving a communication schedule and token bucketinformation; monitoring, at a time based on the token bucketinformation, for a signal on a second RF band; and communicating on thesecond RF band during the access block according to the communicationschedule if the signal is detected by the monitoring, wherein thecommunication on the second RF band uses the first type of RAT.
 30. Themethod of claim 29, wherein: the first type of RAT comprises 5thGeneration Mobile Telecommunications technology.
 31. The method of claim29, wherein the signal comprises a synchronization signal.
 32. Themethod of claim 29, wherein the signal comprises a clear-to-send (CTS).33. The method of claim 29, wherein the signal includes an indicationthat the signal is associated with the first type of RAT.
 34. The methodof claim 29, wherein the communicating on the second RF band during theaccess block comprises commencing the communicating on the second RFband in response to receipt of a downlink signal on the second RF bandusing the first type of RAT.
 35. The method of claim 29, wherein themonitoring is performed for up to a defined number of sub-frames of theaccess block.
 36. The method of claim 29, further comprising:determining whether a token bucket contains a token after completion ofthe communication during the access block.
 37. The method of claim 36,further comprising: monitoring for another signal if the token bucketcontains a token.
 38. The method of claim 36, further comprising:waiting for arrival of another token if the token bucket does notcontain a token.
 39. The method of claim 29, further comprising:determining whether the second RF band is available for communication,wherein the determination comprises monitoring the second RF band usinga second type of RAT; and determining whether to communicate on thesecond RF band during the access block based on the determination ofwhether the second RF band is available for communication.
 40. Themethod of claim 29, wherein the received token bucket informationcomprises at least one parameter for a token bucket that a base stationuses to access the second RF band.
 41. The method of claim 40, whereinthe at least one parameter for a token bucket comprises at least one of:a token fill rate, a maximum number of tokens for a token bucket, or anycombination thereof.
 42. The method of claim 40, further comprising:determining the token arrival time based on the at least one tokenbucket parameter.
 43. The method of claim 29, wherein: the second RFband does not overlap with the first RF band; the second RF bandpartially overlaps with the first RF band; the second RF band isentirely within the first RF band; or the first RF band is entirelywithin the second RF band.
 44. An apparatus for wireless communicationcomprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, theprocessor and the memory configured to: communicate on a first radiofrequency (RF) band, wherein the communication on the first RF band usesa first type of radio access technology (RAT); receive a communicationschedule and token bucket information; monitor, at a time based on thetoken bucket information, for a signal on a second RF band; andcommunicate on the second RF band during the access block according tothe communication schedule if the signal is detected by the monitoring,wherein the communication on the second RF band uses the first type ofRAT.
 45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the signal includes anindication that the signal is associated with the first type of RAT. 46.The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the communicating on the second RFband during the access block comprises commencing the communicating onthe second RF band in response to receipt of a downlink signal on thesecond RF band using the first type of RAT.
 47. The apparatus of claim44, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:determine whether a token bucket contains a token after completion ofthe communication during the access block; and monitor for anothersignal if the token bucket contains a token.
 48. The apparatus of claim44, wherein the processor and the memory are further configured to:determine whether a token bucket contains a token after completion ofthe communication during the access block; and wait for arrival ofanother token if the token bucket does not contain a token.
 49. Theapparatus of claim 44, wherein the processor and the memory are furtherconfigured to: determine whether the second RF band is available forcommunication, wherein the determination comprises monitoring the secondRF band using a second type of RAT; and determine whether to communicateon the second RF band during the access block based on the determinationof whether the second RF band is available for communication.
 50. Theapparatus of claim 44, wherein the processor and the memory are furtherconfigured to: receive at least one token bucket parameter that a basestation uses to access the second RF band; and determine the tokenarrival time based on the at least one token bucket parameter.
 51. Anapparatus for wireless communication comprising: means for communicatingon a first radio frequency (RF) band, wherein the communication on thefirst RF band uses a first type of radio access technology (RAT); meansfor receiving a communication schedule and token bucket information; andmeans for monitoring, at a time based on the token bucket information,for a signal on a second RF band, wherein the means for communicating isconfigured to communicate on the second RF band during the access blockaccording to the communication schedule if the signal is detected by themonitoring, and wherein the communication on the second RF band uses thefirst type of RAT.
 52. The apparatus of claim 51, further comprising:means for determining whether a token bucket contains a token aftercompletion of the communication during the access block, wherein themeans for monitoring is further configured to monitor for another signalif the token bucket contains a token.
 53. The apparatus of claim 51,further comprising: means for determining whether a token bucketcontains a token after completion of the communication during the accessblock; and means for waiting for arrival of another token if the tokenbucket does not contain a token.
 54. The apparatus of claim 51, furthercomprising: means for determining whether the second RF band isavailable for communication, wherein the determination comprisesmonitoring the second RF band using a second type of RAT; and means fordetermining whether to communicate on the second RF band during theaccess block based on the determination of whether the second RF band isavailable for communication.
 55. The apparatus of claim 51, furthercomprising: means for receiving at least one token bucket parameter thata base station uses to access the second RF band; and means fordetermining the token arrival time based on the at least one tokenbucket parameter.
 56. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storingcomputer-executable code for wireless communication including code to:communicate on a first radio frequency (RF) band, wherein thecommunication on the first RF band uses a first type of radio accesstechnology (RAT); receive a communication schedule and token bucketinformation; monitor, at a time based on the token bucket information,for a signal on a second RF band; and communicate on the second RF bandduring the access block according to the communication schedule if thesignal is detected by the monitoring, wherein the communication on thesecond RF band uses the first type of RAT.